Posted September 4th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 23, 2013
Mundane and hopefully important: 19 presentations in the House this week with Congress in recess. Seems like I have been doing this since Adam & Eve left the garden.
The March:
The 50th Anniversary of the Martin Luther King “I have a dream” speech was celebrated with a march and rally at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday. Although I arrived 45 minutes before the start, I could go no closer than ½ mile from the podium. No worries, I was there to politic. Five hours on my feet later (I am getting too old for this..seriously), 200 plus fotos taken, about 80 chats, 3 interviews by minor TV and bloggers, my duty to God and Country fulfilled, I went home. The foto below captures the essence of the day.
Campaigning with Misty not only attracts more attention, the saddle is a place for me to sit..Sadly the Park Police do not civilian horses on the Mall L
This week’s stats:
- 1335 Presentations to Congressional staffers..19 this week
- 61 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..03 this week
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COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
- 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
- 31 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..this week
- 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 15 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc)
- 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:
Marijuana Industry to Congress: Legalize Pot, Provide New Tax Revenue
As Congress wrestles with big budget cuts, marijuana businesses want to help out the federal government with a novel message: Tax us, please. Pot advocates say legalizing the drug and taxing it like alcohol would add billions to the federal treasury, McClatchy Newspapers report. Some analysts dismiss a pot tax bonanza as far-fetched. Still, the idea is stirring serious debate on Capitol Hill.
The Senate Finance Committee included marijuana taxes in an options paper on possible new revenue sources. In the House, one proposal would legalize pot, tax it, and regulate it nationally. The less ambitious Small Business Tax Equity Act would allow the Internal Revenue Service to give breaks on federal income taxes for marijuana businesses. Noting that pot remains a banned substance, Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron said, “If they don’t like the fact that they can’t take certain tax deductions because they’re in an illegal business, then they should go in some other business where they can take tax deductions.” McClatchy
Posted August 25th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of August 16, 2013
Reformgasm: Dropping into a senior, Democratic office its Chief of Staff whom I had met before was in the reception area. We chatted. I asked why his boss had not signed onto the repeal bill (HR 1523). He called in an aide and asked, “Why aren’t we signed onto this bill? Find out and get us on the bill!”
Again, showing up and asking a question is half the battle.
New era: On Monday Nico Orduz (LEAP’s legislative affairs coordinator) spent the day with me, as we made Senate office presentations. He spoke for about three minutes at each meeting to introduce LEAP. He is an impressive young man born in Colombia whose mom was a federal prosecutor against the cartels.
Going forward, LEAP and COP are collaborating on Hill and DC work. I am thrilled. Again this week, a House office requested a meeting with Neill Franklin and the Congresswoman. I passed on this request to Nico for follow-up. Another office wanted speakers at their House briefing in September. I put forth the names of Neill and Judge Gray NOTE: When an aide asks for suggestions on witnesses, I start with Neill and Judge Gray. I don’t even mention myself. They are superior presenters and have the requisite CV(resume) to impress the Congress. I don’t.
With the Holder initiative on mandatory minimums, the ‘Stop and Frisk’ decision in New York City, the legalization of marijuana in several states, etc..drug reform is bubbling up as never before in DC since I arrived in 2005. Having LEAP involved in federal affairs again is exciting and beneficial. COP might yet be an “overnight” success.
Letter to Congressman: Please send your House Member an email in support of HR 1523. This is THE bill which reform is pushing on the Hill. Feel free to personalize the letter but don’t go past one page. When they reply, pls forward their response.
Sample:
Dear Congressman xxxxx,
I write you today to vote for common sense and greater freedom by allowing the States to choose their own path regarding marijuana. Mr. Rohrabacher’s HR 1523 is a clean, one-sentence bill which simply returns to the States the power they lost in 1937.
We are a diverse country of 310 million citizens. One size does not fit all on some issues. We allow the States to find their own way on important topics like alcohol, tobacco, firearms and gambling. There is no rational reason to exclude marijuana from this group.
Currently the federal government spends about four (4) billion to support marijuana prohibition of which over a billion is borrowed from China. This is lunacy, as marijuana since the ‘70s has been easier for our teens to buy than alcohol. This policy is truly a “bridge to nowhere.”
Thank you for supporting HR 1523.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your city
Text of HR 1523: `Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this subchapter related to marihuana shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with State laws relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, administration, or delivery of marihuana.’.
This week’s stats:
- 1316 Presentations to Congressional staffers..10 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 58 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
- 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
- 31 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..this week
- 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 15 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc)
- 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:
Posted August 13th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 9, 2013
Reformgasm: On Friday after a good day with 8 presentations I caught up on my notes in the Longworth café and prepared to leave to catch the train. Upon standing, the nearby staffer said, ‘That is an interesting shirt. Why?’ (it was my Friday ‘fun’ day = wear my COP shirt)
She and another staffer and I were having an excellent chat, when I realized I needed to catch the train. As always, I asked, ‘So who do you work for?’ “Pelosi” she replied. Hell with the train and we kept going another 5+ minutes. I just made it to the station on time.
Describing my encounter with the man from Texas who recruited me into drug reform (Bob Ramsey of Dallas), he responded. “Sounds like you had a reformogasm, when you learned who she worked for.” Yup & LOL for a couple of minutes…I realized that word perfectly fits the situation….you will see it again.
Again, 90% of being successful is just showing up.
Reflection: I attended the funeral of a buddy and fellow lobbyist in Delaware on Thursday. Bob gave me some excellent pointers, when I began my career with LEAP in the Congress in 2006. He was only 7 years older than me. Tick Tock.
Reflections II: COP began its fifth year on August 1. Thank you for you moral and financial support to keep a dedicated, full-time voice in Congress. The COP anti-prohibition, pro repeal of federal prohibition message is now meeting with minimal resistance and much greater embracement. COP has irons in many an office where the Member is close to becoming open in support to end the horrific Drug War and Drug Prohibition policies. Stay tuned.
This week’s stats:
- 1306 Presentations to Congressional staffers..09 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 31 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..this week
- 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 13 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, etc)
- 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:
Posted August 13th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
Being on vacation this week – I am sending examples of my follow-up letters after I visit an office. The first is to an R office (note the first two paragraphs are special to just this person). The bottom has my standard script to a D office.
Morning Evelyn,
Thank you for your time earlier this month. I thoroughly enjoyed the chat, even as we disagree on the nanny-state policy of prohibition.
I am concerned that you influence national policy base on a personal hunch that use may go up/explode. I implore you to talk to medical experts in this area.
Since we first met two years ago, the federal govt. has spent some 30 billion dollars, 13 of which we borrowed from China. And absolutely nothing was accomplished. Per the DEA, drugs are still readily available to America’s youth.
Current federal drug policy violates many Republican principles i.e. limited federal govt, individual freedom, squandered money, (borrowing billions from China to pay for it), etc. As a registered Republican, it is painful to see our party lose its way. Tell me how & where current policy is helping America and I will leave for Texas tomorrow. Please have the Senator write an oped pointing out all the benefits and advantages of marijuana prohibition & send it to me.
If I can assist in a volunteer capacity, I speak fluent German, French and Spanish.
I remain at your service,
Howard
Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)
Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
Washington, DC
817-975-1110 Cell
howard@CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.
Morning Stephanie,
Thank you for your time earlier this month. I enjoyed the chat.
I hope you will be able to convince the Senator that drug prohibition has been a disaster for the young people of our country, causing misery and death. We need to repeal federal prohibition, starting with marijuana. Pls. let me know if the Senator can articulate one advantage of prohibition. Let’s take away the option of being a teen drug dealer.
If I can assist in a volunteer capacity, I speak fluent German, French and Spanish.
I remain at your service,
Howard
Posted July 27th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of July 19 and 26, 2013
Ms. Wyoming: Four staff aides were in the elevator as I entered. One asked about the ‘Long Rider’ buckle. I replied you earn it when you ride your horse across America. And what was I doing in the Senate, she asked. I gave her the 30 second elevator pitch.
An hour later I was eating and we made eye contact as she was leaving. “Ms. Wyoming” I called out (and as a 5-10 blond she could easily have been Ms. Wyoming). “Let me tell you about having a “calvary division” to help in your next campaign. We chatted the maximum two minutes, as I showed her the foto which propelled Misty and me onto national Fox news last fall in Colorado. Networking, being memorable and passing out business cards is an important, secondary task.
Don’t need no stinkin weed to get high: Wrapping up an excellent first meeting with the chief legal counsel of a House Member, she asked if Neill Franklin (Exec. Director of LEAP) and I could meet with the Congressman in September. That is now in the works.
Later that day I was pleased that Senator Leahy office had me meet with two of his JD legislative aides. They said the Senator is committed to holding hearings on marijuana. I pro-offered they should request Neill Franklin to testify. As I explained, Howard was a mutt compared to Neill being a show dog with a pedigree. Sadly, neither had ever heard of LEAP. I explained LEAP to them. I will be dropping off Neill’s CV and keep his name in front of them. . Senator Leahy is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Leaving their offices, I was nearly euphoric from my part in moving this horrible policy into the history books. Just felt damn good to contribute.
**** On vacation next week. Karen and I are taking the bike to Maine to see our grandson and Karen’s brother.
This week’s stats:
- 1297 Presentations to Congressional staffers..17 this week
- 58 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..02 this week
-
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 31 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..this week
- 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 13 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, etc)
- 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:
