COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 15, 2023

Scope of the Problem/Issue: Even my world was a bit rocked this week..Back to back presentations where the first aide had lost 8 high school and university friends (all from relapse) and the next aide had lost 7…it took my breath away.  As you know, relapse is a major problem and nobody but nobody (besides COP)  is asking the Congress to research a path to help these addicts.

Belt Buckle Scores Big Win: I was gathering the last of the names of health policy advisors, when I entered the Member’s office.. an aide said the Christmas festivities had just begun and offered me a beer and Wisconsin cheese…I hesitated before saying yes…he and I had a good chat on health policy, the Member and I met, along with his neighbor from Idaho…the party was in the conference room and I was invited to join.

An aide asked about the belt buckle.  I explained the Long Ride.  Since a Member was from Idaho, I took the opportunity to praise his state; in two weeks to cross southern Idaho in August and 104 temperatures, someone took us into 12 of 14 nights…then someone insisted on knowing the worst state…I hesitated, not wanting to insult Kansas…they insisted so, I revealed in the 24 days of travel in KS, we only received shelter 3.

Then someone asked my mission. The Members and staff gave me 5 minutes to make a mini-presentation.  I finished my beer, thanked them for the hospitality and wished them all a very Merry Christmas.

Note: this is the last Newsletter of 2023.

This Week:

5079 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 14  this week

384 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 02this week:  Grothman (R-WI), Fulcher (R-ID)

453 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs,  01 this week…  R Candidate for US Senate.

Meetings: 02 Grover Norquist    & Latino evening rally event in VA

COP stats since inception: August 2009

109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.

215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –

98 Radio Interviews:  0 this week

33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria),  LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

Media:  Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

* Consider being a member of COP at $40 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org ( to donate by Internet)

To send a check:

COP

POB 543

Buckeystown, MD  21717

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of December 15, 2023

Scope of the Problem/Issue: Even my world was rocked a bit this week..Back to back presentations where the first aide had lost 8 high school and university friends (all from relapse) and the next aide had lost 7…it took my breath away.  As you know, relapse is a major problem and nobody but nobody (besides COP)  is asking the Congress to research a path to help these addicts.

Belt Buckle Scores Big Win: I was gathering the last of the names of health policy advisors, when I entered the Member’s office.. and aide said the Christmas festivities had just begun and offered me a beer and Wisconsin cheese…I hesitated before saying yes…he and I had a good chat on health policy, the Member and I met, along with his neighbor from Idaho…the party was in the conference room and I was invited to join.

An aide asked about the belt buckle.  I explained the Long Ride.  Since a Member was from Idaho, I took the opportunity to praise his state; in two weeks to cross southern Idaho in August and 104 temperatures, someone took us into 12 of 14 nights…then someone insisted on knowing the worst state…I hesitated, not wanting to insult Kansas…they insisted so, I revealed in the 24 days of travel in KS, we only received shelter 3.

Then someone asked about my mission. The Members and staff gave me 5 minutes to make a mini-presentation.  I finished my beer, thanked them for the hospitality and wished them all a very Merry Christmas.  FWIW…5 minutes of having an exclusive time with a Member normally costs a lobbyist/advocate 10K.

Note:  this is the final Newsletter of 2023…wishing you and yours the best of the Season, cowboy

This Week:

5079 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 14  this week

384 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 02 this week:  Grothman (R-WI), Fulcher (R-ID)

453 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs,  01 this week…  R Candidate for US Senate.

Meetings: 02 Grover Norquist    & Latino evening rally event in VA