Posted May 9th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of April 18, 2014
Hold the Presses: At 5:15 on Friday I was at my desk catching up on paperwork, when the email came across from a former Legislative Assistant from the House side. He is now the deputy press secretary of an extremely important section in the Congress.
He needed ASAP all the info on 2014 ballot initiatives including likelihood of passing, etc. I screamed thru 90 minutes of calling experts in Florida, Oregon, Alaska, Arkansas, Ohio etc…. I gave him what I could by 7 PM that afternoon and the rest on Monday morning at 0700.
It ain’t what you know (so much), as who you know and who remembers you. If this keeps up, I will need a larger hat! Crown and chocolate that night for sure.
Back in the ‘saddle:’ 16 presentations this week and it felt good to return to my core work of talking to Congressional staff.
Next week I am off to the NRA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. My tag line will again be:
“We (at the National Rifle convention) trust each other to own and carry deadly force. But then you don’t trust that same person with a little green plant? Please explain”
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 1508 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 16 this week
- 80 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
- 18 major conferences attended.. this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 26 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
77 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. this week
55 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 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
From the town hall meeting with Chairman Goodlatte (House Judiciary Comm)
Your COP at work: 5th foto from the top
http://www.nationaljournal.com/pictures-video/conversations-with-the-chair-representative-bob-goodlatte-r-va-event-slideshow-20140404
Video of question…starts at minute 51
http://www.nationaljournal.com/events/conversations-with-the-chair-representative-bob-goodlatte-r-va-20140403
Posted April 14th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of April 11, 2014
Green time: Wednesday was a long day – first train in at 6:02 and last train out at 7:30..The conductor asked what the heck I was doing in DC so late…I told him about meetings and such, but – but —all good because it was all “ green time” after 4 = great overtime pay.
Five minutes later he came inside the rail car and asked, “So green time…how much marijuana do they give you for the overtime?!” I laughed myself silly. NOTE: in police work green time = time and half pay.
The truth, reluctantly: The early breakfast featured a former Congressman and now the President of Texas Tech University. During Q & A I asked how much he had to raise tuition because the state had reduced its support to higher education in order to build 77 prisons in Texas in the 1990s.
His political instincts kicked in and he did not answer the question in front of the 80 person audience. Afterwards I pressed him on it. He admitted that state aide had dropped from 57% of his budget to 24% He agreed that the growth of prisons had pushed up the tuition at his university and others.
Knee Jerk: I had a solid, 30 minute chat with the deputy chief of staff to a Senator who is thinking of running for president. We have known each other for years, so it was relaxed and business-friendly. When I touched upon the issue of marijuana, it was an immediate “I am against legalization.”
I gently stated that in the sandbox he and I play in, the goal is to employ the 10th Amendment regarding drug policy. He stopped and said let me think about that for a minute…as a solid conservative, he loves the 10th (states’ rights) and would think it over…. And for me that is a good day…
PS> I also urged him to recommend to the Senator that he take the same position of marijuana as Governor Perry = 10th Amendment. That would irritate the least amount of voters.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 80 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week
- 1492 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 02 this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
- 18 major conferences attended.. this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 26 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
77 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. this week
55 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 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
From the town hall meeting with Chairman Goodlatte (House Judiciary Comm)
Your COP at work: 5th foto from the top
http://www.nationaljournal.com/pictures-video/conversations-with-the-chair-representative-bob-goodlatte-r-va-event-slideshow-20140404
Video of question…starts at minute 51
http://www.nationaljournal.com/events/conversations-with-the-chair-representative-bob-goodlatte-r-va-20140403
Posted April 7th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of April 4, 2014
COP or LEAP business card?: At Grover Norquist’s brunch this week Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal spoke for 10 minutes. From the situations he had described I knew he could benefit from powerful, law enforcement voices. I would be lucky to grab 30 seconds of his time, as he was rushed by aides towards the elevator.
He gave me 20 seconds and I told him how LEAP could provide the expertise he was looking for. The business card I gave him had the LEAP website on it, not COP.
COP members and those reading this, when this horrific drug prohibition is in the history books next to our alcohol prohibition, within a few years no one will know or care what organizations led the charge or which individuals made the greatest impact. How many among us can name one person or organization which helped bring about change in 1933?
Thus, when appropriate to have the greatest impact for change, I will distribute a LEAP card. It simply says I am the Co-Founder of LEAP and the LEAP website. Know I am very proud of what COP has accomplished and continues to do since 2009. That will not change. I hope and trust your support for COP will continue also. You are buying the train & metro tickets which put me in the same room as a Gov. Jindal. Thank you. Let’s git-r-dun. Your feedback is welcomed.
Women, Drug Policy and Incarceration in the Americas: This was the theme at the seminar sponsored by Uruguay at the OAS (Organization of American States) headquarters in the shadow of the White House. Uruguay’s ambassador Romani – whom I met in Vienna – recognized me and LEAP in his opening remarks as being signs of support and technical help needed to end drug prohibition.
Between the OAS and an earlier one at CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies) 5 people I met in Vienna were in attendance + the Swiss attaché I met last month at the embassy.
Points for style & Not my First Rodeo with a politician: The National Journal filmed & interviewed the Chairman of the House Judiciary Goodlatte on Thursday at the Newseum . Sitting on the front row I raised my hand to ask a question. The moderator said, ‘Points for style. The gentleman with the nice hat.’ In front of the 200 assembled + XXXXX in Television Land I made several statements before asking a question I knew he would not answer…always put out your message inside the question. (full paragraph at bottom). And of course Goodlatte did not touch the question of what are the benefits and advantages of drug prohibition for kids.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 79 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 04 this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 1490 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
- 18 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 26 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
77 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. this week
55 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 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
** I introduced myself at the co-founder of LEAP – Law Enforcement Against Prohibition..’Per my experience as a police officer the war on drugs has been the most destructive, dysfunctional and IMMORAL policy since slavery and Jim Crow. My concern is for children who are hurt three ways by policy: 1 – Per the DEA “Drugs are readily available to America’s youth.” 2. My fellow detectives are missing pedophiles who rape our children because they are spending time chasing a green plant or a white powder. 3. Every teen in America has a job option to sell drugs which results in several thousand shot and shot dead every year.
Tell us Congressman the advantages and benefits of the drug war for our kids or do you need to hold some hearings to find out?’
Posted April 6th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of March 28, 2014
United Nations CND (Conference on Narcotic Drugs) – Final Thoughts:
This effort took up a solid month of my time; two weeks of preparation and 12 days of being there + this week to recover from jet lag, etc. Based on all the information I have, it was worth the effort and expense. I contributed to the growing body of information that law enforcement efforts are completely futile, this issue should be dealt with on a nation by nation basis (not one, world-wide prohibition policy) and if one has a drug problem, the medical community is the appropriate responding profession, not police.
The cost was significant..1200 for the flight, 700 for 11 nights of lodging (Motel 6 equivalent…with breakfast buffet) and meals plus transport another 400 ( I am sick of Subway and McDonalds).
Rewards: I sent out 24 emails from those I collected business cards from. And I meaningful chats with another 8-10 that we did not exchange cards. How do you measure having a delegate from Iran, then Sudan, then Ivory Coast, then Myanmar, Norway etc. come up and spend 5-10 minutes discussing the issue?
Standard Pitch: First, I made a point of showing how completely futile the authorities (police, customs, military) have been and will be to make a tiny dent in drug supplies. Second, if one has a drug problem, the person has three (3) layers of help…family who love them, friends who care about them and members of a church or mosque who care about them. The government needs to be involved with education and prevention but not have police involved with drug users.
The second point was being emphasized by many nations in their official statement to the body. Under the guise of “Human Rights” …this was code for nobody goes to jail for simple possession or use.
Clown or Class:? As always, I was dresses in hat, buckle, boots (see foto below). This was an august body and some may have wondered if I were another Bush 43. I made it a priority of speaking anything but English, if possible and this surely helped my marketing.
Good Feeling: Nine years ago in New Mexico I debated a DEA Agent Finn Sealander. I just learned that after retiring he became LEAP speaker. I hope/trust his decision was based partly on our debate.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 75 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 1490 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
- 18 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 26 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
77 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. this week
55 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 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
Posted March 27th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of March 21, 2014
Where is the exit?: After 5 days of this place (UN’s Conference on Narcotic Drugs), I was ready to call in sick. I thought Congress was out of touch, not dealing with reality. This place makes Congress look responsible and pragmatic.
Then the sun broke thru. One well attended break-out session featured a UK speaker from the London School of Economics (John Collins) who in 10 M destroyed the myth that law enforcement has made a tiny difference in supply. Absolutely brilliant. In the hallways 3 VIPs were chatting. One guy said the big question around here this year (but not from the podium) was whether to legalize or keep it just the way it is. And some other events have given this cowboy some small confidence that a fundamental shift is happening & I might help push the delegates in the right direction.
The mere fact that the UN gave SSDP ( Students for a Sensible Drug Policy) a room to promote a contrary point of view was in itself a significant change. I was part of the panel of speakers and though the audience numbered but 30, it was a grand moment. There were a few native Spanish speakers and in solidarity with the countries of Latin America who suffer and die for American/World-Wide prohibition, I delivered my words in Spanish. Translation at bottom. Read time: 10 M
How goes the WOD in Pakistan?: The gentleman liked my hat and wanted a foto…that brought his boss over…Major General Malik Iqbal who turned out to be the head of Pakistan’s DEA type organization….he and I had an excellent 8-10 M chat on policy. Later I had a 15 M chat with his deputy Brigadier General Muhammad Malik on policy and what the Holy Koran says about drugs…Absolutely fascinating.
Several other chats were initiated off the hat here at the UN. The delegate from Iran walked up and we started talking. And then two from Sudan and on it went. Woohooo.
Final thoughts in next week’s newsletter.
- 75 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 14 this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. 01 this week
- 19 major conferences attended.. this week (UN’s CND, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) 01 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
1490 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
-
- 26 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
- 77 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. this week
- 55 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 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. If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution… 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
The war on drugs/drug prohibition: How is that working for your country? Is it reducing your crime, death, disease or even drug use? After 53 years of this failed, world strategy to reduce the availability of drugs, the time has come to replace the failure of the past with a proven solution to the problems associated with prohibition.
The war on drugs/drug prohibition has been the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery and Jim Crow. La guerra de drogas/prohibicion ha sido el mas destructivo, mas disfuncional y mas immoral politica desde la esclavitud…La prohibition/ la guerre aux drogues a été le plus destructrice, le plus inopérant et le plus immoral politique que l’esclavage….Der Drogenkrieg ist die verheerendste, unwirksamste und unmoralischste Politik seit der Sklaverei.
Bold words. I learned the bitter truth about prohibition during my 18 years as a street cop and detective. Luckily the world has begun to realize that the policy increases death, disease, crime, violence and drug use.
We are here this week to bear witness to the United Nations that world drug prohibition needs to end as soon as possible. My colleague Jim Gierach has written a new document to replace the 1961 Single Convention Treaty. Please learn about this and then educate the leaders of your country.
The greatest danger to our youth is that they have an option to become a seller of drugs. Currently in the USA nearly one million teens are employed selling drugs. Every day – Every day 6-7 are shot and every year several hundred are shot dead. This is shameful. This is immmoral.
Another huge harm to our children is that they are raped in greater numbers by pedophiles because the police spend so much time chasing a white powder and a green plant. Add to that the children involved in prostitution — sex slaves — and child cyber pornography and rape videos. It is important to note that there are a finite number who would rape a child. There is an infinite of people who might sell drugs.
Whether by chance or design, young people, especially of color, have been the ones to suffer the most from the policy. Whether they are searched without legal cause, arrested for small amounts, or hurt or murdered because they had a job option to sell drugs and made a bad choice to do so, prohibition has been the driver for much pain, suffering and death.
Why does my profession focus so hard on youth? Multiple reasons. First and foremost, they are the most likely to transport and use illegal drugs. Drug use peaks at about 25-26. Young people often do not consider the real possibility of being caught and arrested. For example. Many dozens of times I would stop someone for a simple, traffic violation. When they opened the glove box, I could easily see a baggie of marijuana. Stupid, dumb, naive. Luckily for those students, I simply emptied the cannabis into the wind, and pointed out how stupid they were. Of course tens of millions were not so lucky. They were arrested, paid heavy fines, have a criminal record and other punishments. They will always have difficulties obtaining a credit card, a loan, a school scholarship etc. You can get over an addiction. You can never get over a drug conviction.
Young people also have less money to defend themselves in court, even if the officer made an illegal search…something which happens every day. Worse, officers will lie to the judge and jury. This is no small problem. And the police know their lies will not be discovered. Especially in drug cases, many officers feel that winning the case is more important than justice. Moreover, they have the feeling this is a ‘Holy War’ a Jihad and with God on their side, they will go to heaven no matter what they do.
The young are also susceptible to becoming informants, in order to erase the drug arrest from their record. If one agrees to help arrest 5-10 other young people, the police can make their arrest disappear. This is a necessary tool for the police, since drug use is essentially a consensual crime…nobody calls the police when they buy, sell or use an illegal drug. Thus, normal police methods do not function. The police must employ trickery to arrest enough citizens to make the bosses happy. It is all about the numbers.
Racism plays a major role in who we arrest. A colleague of mine said it ‘best’ regarding who he stopped and searched: “Two blacks, two browns or two yellows or I won’t stop the car. Why bother?” Of course my colleague used ugly words to describe African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians. My chief knew of this attitude and did nothing about it. Indeed, this officer was often praised for his work. There is much truth in the saying that for a white person to be arrested for cannabis, that person must be ‘fence post stupid.’ For a person of color to be arrested; simply step outside your door.
This behavior, these tactics are disgusting and immoral. As a professional, it hurts me to see where my profession has gone and become.
At least in the USA university students pay much more for their education because of prohibition. How? In order to build and maintain 2,000,000 new prison beds, the states reduced their support for colleges and universities. Therefore, the colleges raised their tuition fees to cover the shortfall from the government. Currently the average, American college graduate starts life $28,000 in debt for his/her education.
Because of prohibition..1.5 million children are growing up missing one or both parents who are now in prison. These young people are five times more likely to come in contact with the police.
Hypocrisy: When young people find out that cannabis is much less dangerous than alcohol, they realize they have been lied to and the hypocrisy of drug laws. 35 years ago when I was a student at Michigan State University, I learned this. This hypocrisy is NOT good for the nation. The people should have confidence in the law and the system.
General Observation:
During this conference I have heard many speak of the need for the police and others to reduce the supply of drugs. A fact; the police have zero impact on drug availability. We are like a mosquito on the butt of an elephant. Do not look to us for any help on this…To illustrate: when we confiscate maybe 20% of drugs in transit, it simply means the traffickers start the process with 120% of what the market uses. This is business 101.
I am convinced that the only course of action to end this tragedy for young and old is to legalize, regulate and tax all drugs. This will stop the abuse of citizens, especially our young. Racist officers will have a much tougher task to hurt those minorities they don’t like.
There is an old Turkish proverb: No matter how far down the wrong road you have traveled, you will never reach your destination. Turn around!!
Hay un dicho anciano de Turqui’a. Por tanto la distancia ha cubrido en el camino falso, no alcanzara’ tu destino, !VUELVESE!
Il y a un proverbe vieux de Turkie: Quelle que soit la distance tu as voyage’ dans un chemin faux, jamais tu vas arriver a ta destination…tourn toi!!
Es gibt ein altes Sprichwort aus der Turkei: Es spielt keine Rolle wie weit Du auf den falschen Weg gefahren bist, Du wirst nie Dein Ziel erreichen. Umdrehe!!
I want to thank the United Nations and The Students for a Sensible Drug Policy for their invitation to speak. Questions, comments, concerns?
Howard ‘Cowboy’ Wooldridge
Drug Policy Specialist for COPs (www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org)
Co-Founder of LEAP (www.LEAP.cc)
Law Enforcement’s voice in the nation’s Capitol since 2005
817-975-1110
Metro DC
The War on Drugs/Drug Prohibition has been the most destructive, dysfunctional and IMMORAL policy since slavery and Jim Crow
Sent from my iPad
