Posted May 30th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
Re “Fear into law” ( From the Edge, by Anthony Peyton Porter, May 13 ):
Mr. Porter’s column touched some issues, but not public safety–the primary mission of law enforcement. There is no doubt in my mind that when my California colleagues stop chasing the green plant, public safety will improve. From my perspective as a retired police detective, road patrol will arrest more DUI and reckless drivers, and detectives will arrest more pedophiles and rapists.
Cannabis is a drug and no play toy. My college roommate flunked out because of it and went to Vietnam. However, during my 18 years of police service I did not go to one call generated by its use. Legalizing and regulating marijuana is a no-brainer.
Howard Wooldridge
Citizens Opposing Prohibition
Washington, D.C.
Posted May 26th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
How to gain votes?: Recently my wife gave notice* to her CPA firm (she wants a job without a long commute). Her colleagues have long seen the message on her rear end (car) MOMS SAY – LEGALIZE POT. Still she was a bit startled (accountants are known to be quiet people), when a senior partner came to her office and asked if the free samples would end. They both had a good laugh. NOTE: free samples to Congressional offices will continue. LOL
To me this is just another sign that the Tipping Point has been reached, or nearly. When CPAs make casual jokes about cannabis, it is a sign.
If you are not angry, you are not paying attention:
I attended two hearings this week. The Senate’s Dick Durbin (D- IL) determined in only two hours that the Rule of Law in Mexico is threatened by the 24,000 dead citizens and anarchy in the northern states.
The House Judiciary held a ultra sober two hour hearing on the problem of rape kits not being opened across the USA. See my summary below which I gave to columnist Kathleen Parker. The star actress from the TV show Law & Order – SUV was especially effective in pointing out how society places so little value on women. The Members made nice speeches about the problem but no action is expected. Recall NPR had an excellent report 18 months ago about the 400,000 unopened kits. And the lawmakers have snoozed.*
Snapshot* of testimony on Rape Kits not Being Tested
All witnesses agreed that the number of kits untested in unknown. Kits are left at hospitals (never picked up), evidence rooms and labs. Police departments are reluctant to find out how many they have, due to adverse* publicity. Detroit PD has about 15,000 untested. Los Angeles has about 12,000. New York City recently worked off a 17,000 kit backlog…the only bright spot in testimony.
- It costs about $900 to 1000 to process a kit.
- At 50% of police depts, forensic DNA evidence is NOT a priority.
- From the actress on Law & Order – SVU Mariska Hargitay—since the police don’t test, the victims (thousands of whom have written her) interpret not testing, as a sign that the police, society does not care about rape. IMHO the victims are correct. NOTE: while testifying, she cracked emotionally for about 10 seconds….very moving.
- It was a very depressing two hours.
*give notice = kündigen
*snooze = schlafen
*snapshot = klein Blick
*adverse = ungünstig
COP stats since August 2009:
348 presentations to Congressional Staffers
7 presentations to VIPs (elected officials)
33 published Letters to the Editor (that we know of)
Numerous conferences, hearings & briefings attended. C-Span broadcast my question at a Senate briefing
11 radio shows
6 TV interviews (Colombian TV, Fox and Univision)
Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year. It is tax-deductible. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow. Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or check.
Howard
Detective/Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)
Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
Washington, DC
817-975-1110 Cell
howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org
Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member
PO Box 772
Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772
Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.
Posted May 23rd, 2010 by hiwayhowie
Re: “No end in sight in Mexico cartel war — Turf battle in Juarez may take years to play out, authorities say,” Monday news story.
During my 18 years as a police officer, I saw drugs become cheaper, stronger and readily available to our youth. My profession went from “protect and serve” to “search and arrest” those who chose marijuana instead of alcohol. Public safety took a back seat to making a drug arrest on all the Willie Nelsons of the world.
This sobering report on the agony of Mexico should wake up those citizens who cling to the idea that this modern prohibition will one day become effective. Prohibition has failed, again. Solution? Same as 1933 — repeal and then legalize, regulate, tax.
Howard Wooldridge, Dallas
Posted May 21st, 2010 by hiwayhowie
COPs on the Hill
Stories from the week of May 14, 2010
Still mostly silence from the Congress: On Thursday the House Judiciary Committee had Attorney General* Holder as their sole witness. Chairman Conyers’second item in his opening remarks was directed at the failed war on drugs (his words). However, though nearly every Member aked questions, no one brought up the issue in the macro during the 4 hour hearing.
Looking for ideas: At Grover’s brunch this week I listened to Congressman Neugebauer of Texas ask for ideas which the Republicans would turn into bills and force theDemocrats to vote against. The ideas must focus on limited government and increasing personal freedom. I wrote up my idea of repealing federal prohibition of cannabis. …No, I won’t hold my breath.
When I am not here…: I had been holding my breath since January that the House version of the Webb –National Criminal Justice Commission Act- would be introduced. Of course it was introduced a few days after I arrived in Oregon. HR 5143 mirrors the Senate S-714 word for word.
After only five years (smiley face here) the bill I wanted has been introduced. Despite new support from the Chiefs of Police, Fraternal Order of Police and the National Narcotics Officers— it may not get thru this year. Senator NO (Coburn-R Oklahoma) is the problem in the Senate. All of reform is working very hard to see that the president signs the bill before August recess. I will keep you posted.. Small step.
Spreading the word: To date five people bought the COPs t-shirt in Oregon. The most popular logo? “MOMS say legalize pot.” Go moms!!
*Attorney General = Bundes Staatsanwalt
COP stats since August 2009:
348 presentations to Congressional Staffers
7 presentations to VIPs (elected officials)
33 published Letters to the Editor (that we know of)
Numerous conferences, hearings & briefings attended. C-Span broadcast my question at a Senate briefing
11 radio shows
6 TV interviews (Colombian TV, Fox and Univision)
Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year. It is tax-deductible. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow. Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or check.
Howard
Detective/Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)
Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
Washington, DC
817-975-1110 Cell
howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org
Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member
PO Box 772
Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772
Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.
Posted May 19th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
COPs on the Hill
Stories from the week of May 7, 2010
What about my profits? I spent my second week of the Oregon speaking tour like the first… speaking to various groups, media etc. The most memorable question of the tour came from a guy in Coos Bay in SW Oregon. He asked what would happen to the price of pot, if California legalizes it this fall.
The price would fall hard I replied, though I admitted to not being an expert. I later learned the questioner and several of his friends were big-time illegal growers.
Reflections on the Oregon tour for MAMA: I spent a thoroughly enjoyable 14 days with 3 dedicated reformers, driving a couple of thousand miles and attending several events everyday. I met dozens of medical cannabis patients who were helping others with advice on product, growing tips, sharing meds and simply being good human beings. After 5 years in the ‘belly of the beast’ = DC, my spirit was renewed by so many unselfish acts.
The tour was capped* by an afternoon at the MAMA house in Portland. 50 odd med cannabis patients enjoyed a perfect spring day. Sandee Burbank whom I met in 2003 as she gained excellent Oregon media coverage on my first Misty trip—-has been a fireball for 30 years in Oregon. What a woman! She only needs to pick up the phone to bring me back.
Wearing my COPs t-shirt everyday was a happy annoyance for my companions. About 10 people a day asked me why, causing a few minor delays on our travels. However, 5 shirts were ordered during the trip, so the shirt lives on. Citizens do want to speak out on the issue and the shirt is a good vehicle.
*was capped = zum Schluss kam
COP stats since August 2009:
348 presentations to Congressional Staffers
7 presentations to VIPs (elected officials)
33 published Letters to the Editor (that we know of)
Numerous conferences, hearings & briefings attended. C-Span broadcast my question at a Senate briefing
11 radio shows
6 TV interviews (Colombian TV, Fox and Univision)
Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year. It is tax-deductible. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow. Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or check.
Howard
