COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of March 24, 2017

COP on the Hill:

Stories from the week of March 24, 2017

Embarrassment turned to Gold: The clock showed nearly 1800, as I was about to finish for the day in Rayburn. Opening yet another door, there were 3 young staffers and a person I took to be the Chief of Staff. He asked about the ‘Long Rider’ buckle and 4 minutes later, the group had an outline of taking a horse across the USA. Then, he introduced himself as John Culberson from Houston (yup, the Congressman).

He said no worries about not recognizing him. He said he immensely enjoyed the stories and then the one minute summary of the Swiss program. Later, his aide said our chat was the best moment in an exceptionally stressful week (Obamacare vote, zillions of lobbyists and the phone ringing off the hook). Note: Anything a Texan does to bring glory to the Lone Star State, brings the doer of deeds much respect. We say: ‘If you are telling the truth, you are not bragging.’

Walk with me: Congressman Al Green of Texas was just leaving, as I entered his office. We had met before. I told him the reason for my visit. He had to vote, so he asked me to go with him to the committee room.. Two minutes later he had a solid understanding of the Swiss program and asked I meet for an in-depth meeting with his health staffer. Perfect Speed? Just show up!

*The 441 offices in the House have received the Swiss info. Next week I will do the entire Senate. During the Easter break (two weeks) – I will start real COP work.

If you want to know about marijuana and drug policy developments before anyone else does, check out Tom Angell’s recently-launched daily newsletter Marijuana Moment. It’s like the Politico Playbook, but just for marijuana. Sign up at http://MarijuanaMoment.net

Tom Angell, my young, smart, fellow reformer is the brilliance behind this service and I heartily recommend it. I wish I had had this 11 year ago, when I started my work on the Hill. Sample at bottom.

This week’s stats:

129 offices visited for a mini-presentation of the Swiss HAT program
179 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 02 this week
2353 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 15 this week
1 meeting
COP stats since inception: August 2009
206 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
76 Radio Interviews. 0 this week

84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000).. 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
72 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 00 this week
148 interviews and reports in minor media = 00 this week.
26 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc) 00 this week (CPAC)
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”

* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position

* 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. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org