COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of November 14, 2014

Stories from the week of November 14, 2014

This week I spent an average of 8 hours a day with 500 serious conservatives, political junkies all. It was like a floating CPAC without the college students. Several former Congressmen, Senators & governors spoke to us. The cruise was organized by the National Review magazine.

Small Steps: At a breakout session attended by 200, including a former governor and Congressman I asked the presenter;   is the War on Drugs indeed the New Jim Crow?   He agreed it was a horrible policy and needed to end. When he ended, 30-40 people applauded…not too shabby for hard core conservatives. After the briefing ended, another 5-6 people came and engaged me in a chat.

The Anti-prohibition Message is Everywhere: I averaged being asked about my shirt 12-15 times a day. On day one a gentleman in our NR group really liked the answer. He proudly announced on the morning of the 4th day. with excitement in his voice, how he was retelling my words at all the meal tables, break out groups etc he sat at. He thanked me for the solid talking points, promising to continue to spread The Word.

Saliva on my cheeks/where is my life jacket?: At the NR dinner on the 4th night a guy my age to my right was passionate about his position. After about an hour of back and forth, he stated that MJ use was hedonistic and must be stopped. I went silent, turned my head to the other end of the table (for 8),bringing an end to our chat. Sadly, he launched into how hedonistic thoughts have led to Roe vs. Wade and 56 million dead babies.   I remained silent. He kept going, to the point of screaming; our table and several surrounding tables stopped talking and I felt two drops of spit hit my cheek. I prepared for the guy’s fist to connect with my jaw. After about a 45 second tirade he shouted he was done talking to me…..and he never hit me…yeah!! In 17 years he has been the most verbally violent person I have ever encountered….I hope it will be another 17 before it happens again.

This week’s raw data:

• 20 major conferences attended..   (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review,  etc)    01this week

103 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.     02 this week

·         COP stats since inception: August 2009

54 brief chats with Members of Congress..   00 this week

10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress..  0  this week

1686 Presentations to Congressional staffers..  this week

6 meetings this week

38  Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)

52 Radio Interviews..  00 this week

• 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…this week
• 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..    this week

79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 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