Stories from the week of October 28, 2011

COP on the Hill

Your Voice in the United States Congress

The ‘sandbox’ I play in:  Quoting Steny Hoyer (D-MD & former majority leader of the House last year):”The Senate right now is dysfunctional.   The Congress is not working.”  This town drives good people away (Senator Jim Webb is leaving after only one term) and those that stay probably need lots of professional therapy  = I ride my horse.  !Poor Misty!

Karen tells me I am still sane but sometimes I ponder the question.  

Something in the water?:  The Senate was in recess this week, so I took a chance and on Monday emailed the 60 offices I had not seen this year.  The next four days I had 21, scheduled presentations.   Normally the response to a request for meeting is about 8%   This was 33%   Happy for the change I was.  Having an appointment beats (psychologically) the heck out of going door to door.

On the same theme…since my arrival in 2005, a Republican office was always easy to recognize, as the TV was always set to the Fox News channel and a copy of the Washington Times would be on the table.  In about ten R offices this year the TV was on CNN and no copy of the WT.  What is going on?

Improving their image:  I ran across this website for the Mexican Drug Cartels.  Who knew so many people thought of them as the good guys?   www.wearethecartels.com

Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

180 presentations to Congressional staffers:    21 this week

3 Letter to the Editor:   this week

1 Television appearance:  this week

2 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc)

2 radio shows:  this week

8 (Member of Congress) contacts:    this week

1 Major conference attended (Congressional Black Caucus annual)

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.