Re- Establishing the Brand:  I have been very pleased how many staffers remember me and my Point of View.  After three long years I am in the process of helping them know our (COP) politics by simply seeing the Hat and the Buckle in the hallways.

Sacre’ Bleu – OMG:  It was a slow Thursday in the Hart Senate office building.  The two receptionists in Chris Murphy’s office (D-CT) were peppering me with questions for 7-8 minutes, when a delegation of 4 entered the foyer.  I backed off and they stated they were from the French Embassy and had a meeting with a staffer.  I paused and said, “Ambassade de France.  Est-ce que je peux demander le sujet de votre rendez-vous ?  (May I ask what is the subject of your meeting?”)  The next five-minutes were non-stop French about their topic (Middle East) and mine (drug prohibition in France and Europe in general).

All were entertained.  The staffer entered the room, they left and I made my exit.  I know without knowing that the two receptionists were beyond surprised.

Note: When I am working, my brain is ‘up;’ meaning it is extra ready to do whatever is necessary to accomplish my task.  i.e. my French was fluent with a moderate American accent.  All good.

Weekly Activities:

3948 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 26 this week…

355 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week….  Senator Manchin (D-WV)

COP stats since inception: August 2009

437 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   0 this week

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

209 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week

107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week

44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

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 $40 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org

 Where are your boots?  While chatting with the receptionist, CMan Green walked into his office.  ‘Hey, I know you.  You’ve been here forever.’  We shook hands like old friends and had an excellent 5-minute chat about the war on drugs…during which he asked about my walking shoes versus cowboy boots.  “I’ve had a few birthdays, just like you.’..pointing to the cane he now uses.  Then I gave his staffer a full 15-minute presentation.  All good.

Weekly Activities:

3922 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 23 this week…

354 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week….  McClintock (R-CA), Williams (R-TX), Al Green (D-TX)

COP stats since inception: August 2009

437 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   0 this week

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

209 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week

107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week

44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

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 $40 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org

Leave them Speechless:   CMan Neguse was in the hallway, chatting with 4 serious guys (turned out to be prosecutors from his district) …after I introduced myself and learned the issue, I responded so all would hear. ‘If we legalized heroin and sold it in stores, there would be no fentanyl in Colorado or anywhere else.’  And dead silence for several seconds, so I just made a tip of the hat and said adios.

They love the buckle. Can I expense it?:  Walking out of Longworth, an aide to new CWoman de la Cruz (R-TX) was walking in.  Spying my huge buckle (6 inches wide), he remarked “nice buckle.”  I told him it was given to me, after I rode my Texas horse coast to coast.  We ended up having an 8-minute chat on drug policy.  All good.  Note: actually it was $160 from my pocket.  The freebie was becoming a Fellow in the Royal Geographic Society.

 Congressman – you are mistaken: On the sidewalk outside of Longworth HOB speaking with Don Murphy, I spotted CMan Santos walking the other way. “Congressman, how is it going?”  Where are your reporter friends?  He and his chief of staff crossed the street and we had a five-minute chat on MJ policy.  He is not yet convinced to vote for change.

Santos stated clearly that NY does Not have a law which the police can use to arrest a driver for DUI Marijuana.  I looked it up, copied the law, gave it to him  and now he knows better/more.  (every state has such a law)

Weekly Activities:

3899 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 29 this week…

351 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 08 this week…. Senator King (I-ME), CMan Crane (R-AZ), CMan Mace (R-SC), CMan Neguse (D-CO), CMan Steil (R-WI), CMan Santos (R-NY), CMan Comer (R-KY) CMan Moore (R-AL)

437 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   01 this week  …x CMan Rohrbacher (R-CA) and MJ champion for many years

COP stats since inception: August 2009

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

209 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week

107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week

44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

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 $40 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org

  Opportunity presents itself:  While learning the contact info of the CJ staffer of an office, there were 3 at a table in the reception area  speaking to a staffer (every office is configured differently).  The gentleman mentioned the phrase ‘opioid treatment.’ I waited for a break in the chat, excused myself and they gave me a minute to introduce them to the Swiss approach to heroin addiction.  All good.

#2: standing in the long line at the House Subway shop, the staffer remarked, “nice hat.”  I always respond, “you should see the horse that goes under it.”…..we ended up in a full presentation on drug decrim.  No, I don’t spend $25 for lunch with your donations.

Fortune Favors the Bold: Entering the office of CWoman Beatty (D-OH), the reception desk was empty.  I could turn left into the cubicle area or go thru the open door to my right which I was sure was her office.  Of course I turned right and had a nice, long minute chat with her.  .  (Note: the alternative is to donate $10,000 to her re-election campaign and that would give me 10 minutes).

Weekly Activities:

3899 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 29 this week…

343 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 04 this week….Cman Carter (R-GA), Cman Valadao (R-CA), Cwoman Joyce (D-OH), Cman Van Drew (R-NJ)

COP stats since inception: August 2009

436 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   0 this week

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

209 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week

107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week

44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

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 $40 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org

 Not for Nothin:  Making initial contact in a Member office, the young lady staffer remembered the cowboy hat…”I liked the message on your jacket I saw at the Subway Shop last week.”

Just another mundane week of first office contact, presenting myself, making presentations or at least receiving the name of the assistant who handles criminal justice.

Weekly Activities:

3899 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 28 this week…

COP stats since inception: August 2009

339 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week….not in session

436 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   0 this week

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

209 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week

107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week

44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

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 $40 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org