Posted December 27th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 20 & 27, 2013
As a professional I must contain and suppress any emotions, when dealing with the Congress and beyond. I read the same horror stories you did in 2013 of pain, suffering and death caused by drug prohibition. So how could I express myself to the Congress without going “over the line.” Tell me if you think I succeeded.
Evil Twin Brother: To deliver the Mexican Drug Cartel Association Christmas card – I had to go incognito. That meant jeans, baseball cap, tennis shoes, ordinary shirt and belt buckle. Only about 5-6 people recognized me. I explained they were thinking of my evil twin brother who wants to legalize drugs. ( think ‘City Slickers II’ the movie).
Here was my 45 second pitch to offices that I knew opposed COP goals:
‘Hi. I represent the Mexican Drug Cartel Association (said it little slow and loud). We want to thank Congressman Sensenbrenner for all his support in 2013 to keep marijuana illegal and hope he will do the same in 14. We agree that legalization would be a disaster, costing billions and billions.
Due to his voting record, the Cartels are going to make a generous contribution to his re-election campaign. We, The CARTELS, need more guys like your boss in Congress.’
When the aide said Merry Christmas, I replied “Igualmente.” {likewise to you}
***** As I was making my pitch, only about 20 aides realized – in the moment- that I was putting their boss shoulder to shoulder with the Cartel butchers…and I wish I could show you their faces….it went from all sunny and Christmas joy to ‘let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.’ It was precious. ….I have no doubts that w/in a minute of me leaving, the other 250 offices who heard the above realized what I had been saying.
Any office that had not taken an official position or was a supporter of ours I just said:
‘Hi. I represent the Mexican Drug Cartel Association. I bring Christmas greetings from the Cartels. We hope you will keep marijuana illegal. The card has some humor but you know we are serious. We ARE the Cartels.’
The card had a picture of Santa Claus with a young boy on his lap. The boy whose T-shirt read: Mexican Drug Cartels -was holding a gun to Santa’s head, as he gave him his Christmas request. “All I want is more Marijuana Prohibition. It’s good for my business.”
On the other side of the card I had a stamp which printed this:
Mexican Drug Cartel Association
Ciudad Juarez
Mexico
*The week of the 27th was spent on mountains of paperwork I have not dealt with.
On behalf of COP and its Board of Directors I want wish you and yours the very best in 2014.
- 1465 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 02 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 36 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
- · 47 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 51 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
- 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
- 17 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
- 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:
Posted December 14th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 13, 2013
Morning Senator: I was waiting for my 10 o’clock meeting to start, when Senator Roy Blunt (R- MO) came up to me, shook my hand and asked, “What information are you giving my office today?” I was able to give my 90 second pitch, emphasizing that I represented law enforcement who are against prohibition, advocate that drug issues should be handled by the medical community and the whole policy should be guided by the 10th Amendment. That was a first chat ever with a Senator in his office. A double Crown Royal that night. Just showing up is 80% of success.
You like that?: A fellow Texan and I were chatting near the elevators in the Longworth House Office Bldg, when I noticed Congressman Labrador (R-ID) approaching with an aide. When he came within easy ear-shot, I said in a fairly loud voice to my Texas buddy,” Idaho will legalize marijuana in the next few years.” The two looked at me for a moment and then went back to their conversation.
The Texan asked what I was doing, since we had not been talking about marijuana. I told him I wanted to give the Congressman something to ponder. He responded I was crazy in a good way.
You never know: First let me say that currently there are rumors of about 5 Senators that might become candidates for President. That said, I met with two aides of one of those 5. This was a follow-up meeting, as we first met in 2012. We had an excellent 45 minute chat, both stating they were one with me on marijuana being a states’ rights issue.
Their bosses biggest concern was how to answer the scenario of the DUI on marijuana. I explained the detection, arrest, evidentiary and court room procedures to win a conviction. I then pulled out of my briefcase a one pager of what I had just said. They said they felt they had a handle on the ‘how to’ and would bring the idea of a companion bill (to HR 1523) to the boss and explain how to arrest, prosecute a DUIM. Who knows? If this seed bears fruit, you will hear my scream.
- 1463 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 13 this week
- 52 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 01 this week
- 47 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 36 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
- 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
- 17 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
- 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:
Posted December 10th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 6, 2013
Are you really a cowboy? I spent the better part of Wednesday at Grover Norquist’s meeting room. After the usual meeting, a new international group convened. This group of about 20 will meet once a month.
After the meeting I met the assistant to the group leader. Upon learning her first language was French I naturally began speaking her language. She was fascinated about the trip across America & I was telling her some stories, when another guy listened in for a moment. He then remarked that cowboys don’t usually speak fluent French, “so are you really a cowboy?” I smiled and whipped out my foto of Misty and me on the beach in Oregon at the end of our first coast to coast. “Yes sir. The cowboys in Texas gave me permission to call myself a cowboy, since I rode one horse 3100 miles.” Grover was listening in to the last part of the chat & smiled. Always a positive to make the host look good.
I had a good chat after the first meeting with a gentleman who is running for the US Senate. All good.
A member of the Republic National Committee taught me the Spanish word for ‘very drunk/shit-faced.’ Another former staffer for Bush 43 joined us in a chat in Spanish…Grover’s meetings continue to produce…………….
I also attended a seminar of the Federalist Society which brought in the asst. Attorney General from Colorado + 4 other prosecutors and lawyers. The topic was marijuana stores opening in 2014. All good.
Two whole days were spent contacting the 140 offices that need a presentation. I booked 15 for the next two weeks….the rest never write/call back..grrrr.
- 1452 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 02 this week
- 47 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 36 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
- 51 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
- 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
- 17 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
- 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:
Posted November 27th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
Below is a RARE (conservative blog & radio) 4.5M report on COP efforts to spread the word on the NAACP endorsement…either read the transcript or listen to the radio interview… either way, your support for COP is making an impact.
Kurt Wallace report; http://rare.us/story/the-naacps-support-for-states-powers-on-pot-legalization-is-historic-find-out-why/#sthash.LHAzC8Q9
Posted November 27th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of November 22 & 29, 2013
Portugal at dinner: While in Denver at the DPA conference a gentleman from Portugal asked to sit at our table. Turns out, he was receiving an award. He was THE architect of the Portugal Decrim Program. I was able to have all my questions answered. Fascinating.
Getting the word out: I forgot to mention last week that besides making sure all in Congress knew of the NAACP endorsement of the bill to repeal federal marijuana prohibition, I sent an email to every journalist I had met in 17 years….some 150..
On the boat last week I had an average of 12 people a day ask me why. Since the ship sailed from Puerto Rico, a fair number of those were in Spanish. Leaving the ship, I was truly relaxed and refreshed. Answering the why question in an informal setting is a pure joy & not work.
I also encouraged all the islanders to be the first Caribbean nation to legalize marijuana. That island would become a Mecca for tourists, like Amsterdam. It was fun to see their reaction to my proposal.
Below is a RARE (conservative blog & radio) 4.5M report on COP efforts to spread the word on the NAACP endorsement…either read the transcript or listen to the radio interview… either way, your support for COP is making an impact.
Kurt Wallace report; http://rare.us/story/the-naacps-support-for-states-powers-on-pot-legalization-is-historic-find-out-why/#sthash.LHAzC8Q9
Footnote: Thanksgiving week was spent trying to catch up on several hundred emails, etc.
Wishing you and yours and good Turkey Day….howard
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 1450 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
- 36 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
- 51 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
- 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 46 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week
- 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
- 17 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
- Permanent invitation to 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:
