Posted March 5th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of February 28, 2020
CPAC 2020: Was 12,000 serious conservatives coming together for four days in DC to celebrate their values and this year, to glorify President Trump. The COP role was to provoke attendees to consider the “Nanny-state, liberal policy of drug prohibition/war on drugs” The vehicle to poke them was my “Legalize Heroin” shirt and it was successful. Over the 4 days, I spoke to about 200 attendees in groups of 1 to 8. I was happily astounded, as 80-85% walked away with a positive to very positive view of legalizing all drugs and making the medical community the tip of the spear for drug issues.
Boys and Girls – the world is changing. There is no group in America more conservative than CPAC, this side of a KKK conference. After 15 straight years of CPAC attendance, our message has broken thru.
Why? – given the response from the 200 listeners, the tragic fact that everyone knows X people dead from a heroin OD. Thus citizens are now open to new ideas.
Media contacts were down sharply this year, as the press was simply not there.
Personal: President Trump was the final speaker. I was in the overflow room with about a 100. I was able to listen, see him for about half of his 90-minute speech. Unable to bear more, I left, I positioned myself at the main exit door to the hotel and thus had another dozen chats, as the attendees left. All good.
Total expenses for the four days: about $800; a real bargain. Staying at the Motel Five keeps it low!!
This week’s stats:
87 Radio Interviews… 01 this week
204 interviews and reports in minor media = 06 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
3339 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 0 this week
324 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week:
395 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 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 Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 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
Posted February 22nd, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of February 21, 2020
Good Moments: A congressional staffer I met at CPAC last year saw me eating at the House Subway with the heroin shirt on. In front of the line of 15 waiting to order, he told me about how his boss, the Congressman, lost his son to a heroin overdose. The staffer advised him, that if that son had had access to pure heroin, like the Swiss Addicts do, he would be alive. ( he and I had had a solid chat on the Swiss treatment approach )
I thanked him for his courage to speak truth to power.
While making the rounds in the House, another staffer recognized the hat from last week in New Hampshire. He said hello and we had a solid chat on the issue.
Next week is CPAC 2020 (Conservative Political Action Conference) …12,000 rabid conservatives for four days…always productive for media, fotos with the shirt and I simply enjoy it.
This week’s stats:
3339 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this week
86 Radio Interviews… 01 this week
198 interviews and reports in minor media = 01 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
324 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week:
395 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 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 Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 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
Posted February 16th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of February 14, 2020
New Hampshire Part Two: The highlight was a solid chat with Mark McKinnon of the Showtime special ‘The Circus’ at a Mayor Pete event. It snowed a total of 3 days which was not fun and was nasty cold the entire stay. On voting day, the CNN team was not at the café like 4 years ago which was unfortunate and the new venue was private. So, I went over the coffee shop at the Hilton where all the reporters were staying. I was able to have brief chats with 3 reporters that I knew had been on TV, along with a guy running for Congress. The guy next to me was so impressed with my mission, he bought my lunch.
At noon, I crawled into my car and headed south. Though 2020 was not as successful media-wise as 2016, I still give myself and Don a B Plus. A chunk of what we do is just good or bad timing/luck. My chat with the NYT did generate a published quote a few days later.
This week’s stats:
324 personal chats with a Member of Congress… Congresswoman Gabbard (D-HI) 01 this week:
395 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: A Republican running for Congress in NH.
106 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 01 This week Time magazine, 01 Canada Broadcasting Company
85 Radio Interviews… 01 this week
197 interviews and reports in minor media = 17 this week
Presidential Rallies in NH: 09 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
3330 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 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 Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 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
Posted February 13th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of February 7, 2020
Hellooo New Hampshire: Four years ago, my amigo Don Murphy of MPP and I spent a hectic week in NH to raise awareness of our issues. One blinks, 4 years pass and it was time to break out the cold weather gear again. I picked Don up at the airport on Monday. Who popped thru the exit portal? Senator Bennett (D-CO) and candidate for President. We had a nice chat.
There are too many stories to tell. In summary, we averaged 3 rallies-town halls per day for 7 days, bouncing around from town to town like a pinball, gulping coffee and burgers, while living in the car except to sleep. Media like last time, were thicker than hairs on a dog. I gave interviews in my four languages which is always a hoot.
Coolest Moment: We attended the small Yang town hall on Tuesday morning. I stood up to ask my question: “War on Drugs. What would you do differently?” First Yang said he liked my ‘legalize heroin’ shirt and agreed with the message! He elaborated to say he would; decrim all drugs, legalize MJ, declare an end to the war on drugs AND for those addicted to heroin, he would permit them access to heroin as part of their treatment!! (Swiss model) Holy Smokes…Later we took a foto with both of us giving the thumbs up.
BTW: during Q & A both Gabbard and Mayor Pete gave about the same answer as Yang to the War on Drugs question I was able to ask. Bernie Sanders spoke the same language AND he did it as part of his main speech. Don Murphy was able to speak to VP Biden for 4 minutes and Biden remained firm Not to legalize MJ. Don also had two chats with Klobuchar and several other candidates. Busy we were.
My Facebook page has several fotos of me with the candidates.
This week’s stats:
323 personal chats with a Member of Congress… Senator Bennett, Senator Klobuchar (D-MN), 02 this week:
394 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 03 this week -President of the NH Senate, Andrew Yang – Presidential candidate, Pete Buttigieg (Mayor Pete)
105 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 03 This week including New York Times and CBS News
85 Radio Interviews… 03 this week including NH NPR
175 interviews and reports in minor media = 9 this week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 01 this week – Manchester Union Leader…quotes and foto
Presidential Rallies in NH: 12 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
3330 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 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 Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 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
Posted January 31st, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of January 31, 2020
We’ve come a long ways baby: this week I attended a “Happy Hour” hosted by the NCIA at their new, larger office near the Capitol. More appropriately, it was a “soirée,” since NCIA chief lobbyist, Michael Correia, was able to have Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) come and address the 30 attendees. It was a typical, excellent two hours to meet/greet, learn and enjoy a break from the stress of the Hill. Thank you to Michael and his team. BTW, it was all coats and ties and dresses.. Not one tye-dye shirt to be seen😊 And not for nothin, the majority of the lobbyists are Republican/Libertarian.
And being the ‘Old Guy’ of the group I recall when I first arrived in DC in 2005. I believe it was MPP’s Aaron Houston who told me that one reason Members voted NO on marijuana legislation was; the Member did not want to be associated “those people.” ** And for me, I was mis-trusted completely, as more than a few thought me a spy or narc to get the goods on other activists. LOL and the head of the Justice Roundtable told me in 2009 (4 years after my arrival) that the suspicion I was a narc had mostly gone away! Yeah…must have been my charm ???
** “those people” are now in the majority of both chambers in terms of ending the federal prohibition of marijuana
It was a solid week.
This week’s stats:
321 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week: R-CO Scott Tipton, R-PA Glenn Thompson, D-PA Mary Gay Scanlon
3330 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 18 this week
391 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week (1 Candidate for Congress)
02 Meetings – Grover Norquist, Reception for CWoman Scanlon at NCIA
COP stats since inception: August 2009
166 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
85 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 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 Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 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
