COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of May 16, 2014

Stories from the week of May 16, 2014

Anatomy of a good day:  Riding the escalator to catch the subway, the woman behind said, “Excuse me.  I just started reading a book on marijuana policy and it starts with a guy riding his horse across America with a jacket just like yours.   Would you know anything about him?”

“Guilty, ma’am.  The book describes a bit of my 6 month ride.”  Her eyes lit up and we had a nice chat till the train arrived.

Later:    Grabbing my slice of pepperoni pizza at the Longworth café, the woman in charge of pizzas, a woman my age, out of the blue, thanked me for all my efforts, loves it when I wear the T-shirt ( I wasn’t) and knew I was making Washington, DC a better place for her to live.

I was truly humbled by her effusive praise and my feet did not touch the ground, as I walked to my table.  Some people notice and appreciate; which is crucial as I enter my ninth year on the Hill.

Resistance approaches zero:   As I met with staffers this week, going thru 54 doors to chat make presentations to 20 legislatives aides (good ratio, given the House was in recess), I realized on the train home that I had not encountered one pushback all week.  Works for me.

I must emphasize that I am speaking of the aides, not the Members.  The bill  HR 1523 – to repeal federal marijuana prohibition – languishes at 28 supporters, 7 of whom are Republicans.

 1528 Presentations to Congressional staffers..   20 this week

•   COP stats since inception: August 2009
• 81 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.    1 this week
• 41 Radio Interviews..   this week
• 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..    this week
• 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
• 18 major conferences attended..  this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)    this week
• 26  published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week

         78 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000)..  this week

             55 brief chats with Members of Congress..   this week

• 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.    …  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