Stories from the week of January 20, 2012
Posted January 23rd, 2012 by hiwayhowieCOP on the Hill
Your Voice in the United States Congress
Nurse Karen is not happy/Howard back in the saddle: I did return to the Senate this week, taking advantage of their last week of recess. Not so good, I had an excellent response from staffers (21 total) wanting to meet, including 7 my first day back. It was a bit much, as I did 5 back to back before lunch. Karen was ready to have me committed/restrained for my own good. I DID push myself too much.
I survived the day and the week without any real problems or hurting my brain. My speech stayed solid for every chat and it was important that I regain my confidence. For all reasons it was nice & important for one staffer to come over to my table during lunch, give me a hug and said how much she was looking forward to our follow-up chat later in the week. (she did not know I had run out of free samples?)
Transition: As you know, staffers come and go. As I updated my notes on each office, it was painful to know some with whom I had had such a good relationship had moved on. Craig was one such that I met in 2007, my first full year.. we had great chats, he was with me on marijuana, he had written a paper in college on decrim/legalize. Last year he did ask his Democratic Senator/boss to sponsor a companion bill to the Frank/Paul bill to repeal federal prohibition. Like the other 8 staffers who asked, the Senator said no. One Republican staffer this week described her frustration, when she asked her Senator last year for a companion bill and was rejected.
Personal/health: All good. My speech is 97% of normal, walking/balance are 95%, left side fine motor control is up to about 90% (right side at 100% & I am right handed). Started driving 10 days after the stroke. As I said, all memories, including my languages were never affected. Spoke French for an hour on Saturday. Lucky boy I am.
Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:
253 presentations to Congressional staffers: 21 this week
6 Letter to the Editor: 0 this week
2 Television appearances (Univision): this week
5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc): this week
7 radio shows: this week
11 (Member of Congress) contacts: this week
Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.
2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus
Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 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… Go to:
www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
COP
POB 2902
Washington, DC 20013
If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org
COP total stats in first two years: August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)
649 Presentations to Congressional staffers
22 Appearances on major TV networks
10 published interviews in newspapers
12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc
57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)
19 brief chats with Members of Congress
13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.
6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)
Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.
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