COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of November 15, 2013

 COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of November 15, 2013

Calvary Division:  At Grover Norquist’s brunch I met a person who will be running for the US Senate in 14.  Besides a few words on drug prohibition, I demonstrated the power of the horse to win the votes.  I use the excuse of ‘horse power’ to introduce myself and my politics.

New Ally:  I spent the week hand-delivering the NAACP endorsement of HR 1523 to all 535 offices in the Congress.  I had brief chats with two dozen aides whose reactions ranged from “this is helpful” to “this is important” to “this is huge.”  I was able to have 1-3 minute chats with a record five (5) Congressmen.

Congressman Cooper was headed out the door with his golf clubs and I asked if I could have 20 seconds.  He nodded as he waited for the elevator.  He is on our side and voted last year to cut-off DEA money to states with medical marijuana.  He agreed to take a look at the NAACP endorsement upon his return.

NOTE:  I spent all day Monday sending out an email of the endorsement to all offices.  I wanted to make sure they had a copy. Moreover, by hand-delivering usually at least two more aides (in the reception area) knew of the event:

To an R office I would announce: (try doing this 200 times in a day)……… ‘I have cheerful news if your boss likes the 10^th Amendment/States Rights.   The NAACP has endorsed a 10^th Amendment approach to pending legislation.  So your boss has a new ally of the 10^th.  The issue is federal prohibition of marijuana.  If your office doesn’t like the 10^th, you have a new adversary.’ (my voice would have a hint of irony at this point)

To a D office:  ‘I have cheerful news if your office doesn’t like the war on drugs.  The NAACP is your new ally.  They have endorsed the bill to make marijuana a states’ rights issue.  This is not an April Fool’s joke.  Please give this to your chief legal counsel or the LA (legislative asst) who handles judiciary.

It took 3 days to hand-deliver a copy to 535 offices.  My feet need medical marijuana, they do.  Thus my being on vacation next week is good timing.  I am pooped.

This week’s stats:

• 1450 Presentations to Congressional staffers..24  this week
• 36 Radio Interviews..   01 this week
• 51 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 05 this week
• 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 01 this week
•  

COP stats since inception: August 2009

• 46 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.  00 this week

• 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
• 17 major conferences attended..  this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)  this week
• 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
• 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
• 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
• Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders.   Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
• Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.  30 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year.   Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition.  COP provides that voice.   If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution…  Go to:

• www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition
• POB 543
• Buckeystown, MD 21717