COPs on the Hill – Stories from the week of January 15, 2010

COPs on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 15, 2010

Slow Week on the Hill:  I have been working on the Senate  side for two months and have presented to 70 offices.  The last 30 are always the hardest, as the aides simply do not respond to my email requests for a meeting.  This week I only presented to four offices with four scheduled for next week.    It is a delicate balancing act between being a bit forceful without becoming annoying.   They rarely say no, rather they just ignore you, hoping you go away.

MPP celebrates:   Karen convinced me that my attendance at the MPP 15^th anniversary gala was necessary.   Yes it was 250 but sometimes you just have to spend the money.   Note to self…..always listen to Karen.    So I put on my tux and…….

In the happy hour room, I was near the entry door and thus able to have a five minute conversation with two term Governor Gary Johnson (R- NM) and his aide.  We talked about him running in 2012 on the R ticket and how Misty and I would organize an equestrian brigade to help.  Note:  I had met the Governor in the fall of 2008 in Santa Fe, NM when he invited me to lunch.

Next came Congressman Steve Cohen whom I had met in Nashville at a reception when he was still a state senator (thanks to my friend Paul Kuhn of Nashville for sneaking me into that reception).   The Congressman and I had an excellent chat.

Do I know you?:  When I  entered the dining room, I saw at my assigned table my old buddy, Jack Cole of LEAP,  already seated.  I just laughed internally, found a seat not too close and we both behaved ourselves. LOL

Let’s coordinate our efforts:  This week I contacted the lobbyists for DPA, MPP and NORML & asked them to come together on Friday.  The topic was how, what, when, where and who to introduce a simple bill in the House to repeal federal prohibition.  Six of us met for two hours at DPA HQ and hashed* things out.     As you know, COPs take a ‘marijuana first’ strategy in ending all prohibition. 

I am not at liberty to discuss details but it was a productive meeting that will bear fruit.  Stay tuned.

*Hashed things out = über alles diskutieren und erledigen

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Thank you, 

Howard

Detective/Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772