Posted September 14th, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of September 4, 2015
Life at Four Feet Tall: Sneaking out before dawn in order to avoid Karen stopping me (only slight exaggeration), I popped the wheelchair out of the car and off I rolled to the train station on Tuesday. I was not going to blow off 6 Senate meetings. My nurse neighbor let me borrow her Kmart special chair (no motor and no cup holder). Yes, I could drink from the lower drinking fountains, even as 20% hit my chin and drooled. A curb to the sidewalk became a Mt. Everest of a barrier; every crack eyed with care, carpets were not my friend in Hart Bldg…it was a trying & rewarding day.
Evolving: In the past couple of years I have seen an increasing number and now significant number of R offices where the TV is set to CNN and even PBS vs. Fox News. As one R staffer told me this week, ‘All Senate Staffers are basically in agreement on the drug war/marijuana policies.’ I had a shot of crown and chocolate that night, I’ll tell you.
Who knew? DC had taxis…after 10 years I took my first taxi ride to and from the Senate Office Bldgs. Yes, I completed the 6 meetings and another two on Thursday. However, I am done for a while. August was the worst month of my life. My body, mind and spirit need some healing time. I will go to Grover Norquist’s meeting and catch up on a mountain of paperwork. Keep you posted.
Update – the temporary cast came off this week, doctor said I could walk on it and I now limp along with a crutch in hand for curbs, up and down hills, etc. I’ll be about normal in a month.
1957 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 08 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
0 meetings this week
60 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
19 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
82 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
149 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
88 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
* 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. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted September 2nd, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of August 28, 2015
Just show up: On the Metro going to work the two gentlemen were asking each other where they should get off – in French. I offered to help. We had a nice 1 minute chat before they left. The woman next to me asks, “Are you the cowboy who wants to legalize marijuana?” “Yes, I am.”….and she works for the DEA, is writing a master’s thesis on MJ legalization, saw me ask a question at the Wilson International Center in Spanish, asked me for a card and could she contact me for help with her thesis…. We then broke into fluent Spanish for the last minute, before she had to get off…..this kind of stuff floats my boat.
Where’s the shirt?: Lunching at Chipotle’s in Union Station, I had put my Presidential candidate shirt over my dress shirt for 90 minutes. “Where’s your pot t-shirt?” the voice rang out. I laughed and replied, ‘tis the season of politics and I will promote Mr. X until he becomes president…then back to the ‘Pot’ shirt.
Lucky: Heading for work on Thursday afternoon, I was cruising on my bike on the expressway at fifty as my exit approached. I engaged the brakes, the front ones locked up, the HD went down and I was sliding behind it by 50 feet. SOB. Good News is: the car behind me stopped, only two slight fractures in right foot, 5 square inches of road rash, lots of swelling and black and blue stuff. Took my first ever Oxycodone…surprisingly, it did not cut out all the pain.
Missed my two Senate meetings, spent the night in the hospital (being on blood thinners, the doc was justifiably concerned) and Karen is taking good care of me, if highly annoyed with my near miss at serious injury/death. I say back to work next week, Karen says over her dead body.. we’ll see.
PS — the crash bars on the bike took all the punishment… the cop who handled the accident drove it to the nearby parking lot, saving me 250 bucks.
1949 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 11 this week
01 meetings this week
60 Radio Interviews.. 01 this week
01 Misc: 2 pages in a book about Howard & COP on the Hill: Los Legalizadores by Rafael Ruiz & Isabel Piquer
COP stats since inception: August 2009
19 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
82 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
149 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
88 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
* 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. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted August 29th, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of August 21, 2015
Liberty or Death: Except in the case of using marijuana. A Legislative Director for an R Texas office and I had an excellent give/take chat. His case centered around his belief that the use of MJ causes “moral rot.” I asked if he could quote a passage in the Bible to that idea. (not yet). After I left, I read on the back of his (and the Congressman’s card) Liberty or Death….Yikes!!
Boy, if only had a nickel every time I heard that: The phrase, ‘The Senator’s position on marijuana is evolving.’ rang in my ear often this week and last. It was sweet music, as the 10th Amendment gains strength.
Transition: Making my presentations on Monday, I received a call from the rancher who boards Misty. Her one eye was in terrible shape. The vet confirmed she was totally blind. 17 years ago the same condition ‘moon blindness’ had attacked her right eye and all the medications had had zero effect. On Wednesday I had the vet put her down.
Misty, the unofficial mascot of drug reform, is now riding with the angels. Her life in fotos below.
Misty 1994 – 2015
1938 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 16 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
00 meetings this week
19 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
82 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
149 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
59 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
88 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
* 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. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
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Trail’s End: NYC October 2005
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Field work in Colorado 2012
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Misty (above) is the author of: Misty’s Long Ride – Across North America on Horseback
Her account of taking Howard 3100 miles from Georgia to Oregon to end the war on drugs
Field Work: 2010 California
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Field Work: Virginia 2008
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Field Work in Maryland: 2009
Crossing the Mississippi River in 2002
On the beach in Oregon 2003
Beaches of California: Spring of 2005 (ride two across America)
Posted August 16th, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of August 14, 2015
Don Murphy – Mr. MPP:
Due a mechanical problem on the subway, a 10 minute ride stretched to 45 and that was a good thing. Don Murphy and I had attended the Grover Norquist meeting and rode the Metro back to work. Don gave me several good ideas on top of another half dozen already this the summer. Don is a full-time lobbyist for www.MPP.org
Don started 8 months ago at the tender age of 50ish. His energy is what I had, when I started in 2005. He is by far the hardest working, most capable lobbyist for reform I have met in 10 years. If you ever have a chance to meet him, buy him a beer.
A bit more regal:
I switched to the Senate this week. I expect to meet with half of the 100 offices during this recess.
1922 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 14 this week
01 meetings this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
19 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
82 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
149 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
59 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
88 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
* 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. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted August 14th, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of August 7, 2015
Good Moment: I was in COP t-shirt (super casual Friday, once-a-month)…entering a friendly office, there was a couple from the district and 3 staffers…I ended up chatting with them for 5 minutes, finishing by asking the assistant to thank Congresswoman Matsui for her support and leadership on the issue. It was just special and I am unable to put the articulate the warmth, positiveness of the moment.
Sick Day: I had the feel-me-no-goods on Tuesday, so I stayed home…I worked on some requests, one listed below (also below a thank-you note from House staffer) The other was giving the House Judiciary staffers the names of two LEAP speakers they requested…..and of course, catch up on the ton of long-term paperwork.
Sky Above/Mud Below: Back to back meetings went quite differently. At an R office the aide was a throw-back to the last decade. He indicated the meeting would be 1) standing up and 2) in the reception area. It was like someone ordered him to meet with me and do his best to make me uncomfortable. BTW, this has not happened in this decade. (it did happen regularly in 05,06,07 and 08)..yes, it was an R office.
Personal Note, $$: This week I was asked to do something brand new: be a consultant. A New York firm found me and set up a phone chat with a gentleman who was interested in prison populations going up or down. I made some real money for 45 minutes of doing what I do anyway….run my mouth.
1909 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 22 this week
01 meetings this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
101 chats/conversations with Members of Congress.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
149 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
59 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
88 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
* 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. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Mr. Wooldridge,
Oklahoma State Senator Kyle Loveless spoke with you briefly at the forfeiture meeting in Washington. Do you have any recommendations of law enforcement officers in Oklahoma who support forfeiture reform?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
David White
Office of Sen. Kyle D. Loveless
*************************************
Thanks for the follow-up Mr. Wooldridge,
I always appreciated your perspective on this issue. I think there are some interesting policy proposals out there regarding loosening marijuana laws and I can tell you, your advocacy on the issue always was appreciated by staffers.
If I can ever be of any help to you, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Best,
xxxxx
