COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 13, 2013

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of December 13, 2013

Morning Senator:  I was waiting for my 10 o’clock meeting to start, when Senator Roy Blunt (R- MO) came up to me, shook my hand and asked, “What information are you giving my office today?”  I was able to give my 90 second pitch, emphasizing that I represented law enforcement who are against prohibition, advocate that drug issues should be handled by the medical community and the whole policy should be guided by the 10^th Amendment.    That was a first chat ever with a Senator in his office. A double Crown Royal that night.  Just showing up is 80% of success.

You like that?:  A fellow Texan and I were chatting near the elevators in the Longworth House Office Bldg, when I noticed Congressman Labrador (R-ID) approaching with an aide.  When he came within easy ear-shot, I said in a fairly loud voice to my Texas buddy,” Idaho will legalize marijuana   in the next few years.”  The two looked at me for a moment and then went back to their conversation.

The Texan asked what I was doing, since we had not been talking about marijuana.  I told him I wanted to give the Congressman something to ponder.  He responded I was crazy in a good way.

You never know:  First let me say that currently there are rumors of about 5 Senators that might become candidates for President.  That said, I met with two aides of one of those 5.  This was a follow-up meeting, as we first met in 2012.  We had an excellent 45 minute chat, both stating they were one with me on marijuana being a states’ rights issue.

Their bosses biggest concern was how to answer the scenario of the DUI on marijuana.  I explained the detection, arrest, evidentiary and court room procedures to win a conviction.  I then pulled out of my briefcase a one pager of what I had just said.  They said they felt they had a handle on the ‘how to’ and would bring the idea of a companion bill (to HR 1523) to the boss and explain how to arrest, prosecute a DUIM.  Who knows?  If this seed bears fruit, you will hear my scream.

• 1463 Presentations to Congressional staffers..  13 this week
• 52 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 01 this week
• 47 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.  01 this week

COP stats since inception: August 2009

• 36 Radio Interviews..   0 this week
• 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..  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
• Weekly attendance at 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