COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of July 26, 2019

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of July 26, 2019

Funny Thing did not happen between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers: With my two amigos we were rolling about 10 MPH, 5 miles from the start, when I went down, hard. I did not notice that between the right and middle concrete lanes, there was 60 foot long, inch and a half difference in height probably due to buckling from the heat.

With 4 cracked ribs and a separated AC of a shoulder I was done and sent my compadres on their way. One suggested I catch an Uber to the Omaha airport and fly home. That was not in my DNA. I decided to stay and chat with the 500 in our group. Good Drugs and encouragement from everyone helped, as I rode in a vehicle from town to town. I had many dozens of great chats off the heroin shirt over beer in the evenings.

By the last day, I was not to be reasoned with. I rode my bike around the parking lot for 15 minutes, making sure not to fall, or at least on the same shoulder and ribs! Yes, I rode the last 67 odd miles to the MS River. Maybe 2,000 read the shirt and I had lots of 1 minute chats with folks passing me, slowed down to hear why and then they kept going. It was truly a lot of fun and worthwhile.

The media part of the project was a complete poop, I am sad to report. We can’t hit a homer every time.

PS…doc said no permanent injury…good as new in about 3 months..since my work involves mostly my legs and my mouth, see me back in Congress next week.

This week’s stats:

One event: RAGBRAI = (Des Moines) Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa

COP stats since inception: August 2009

3218 Presentations to Congressional staffers… this week
00 Meetings – Grover Norquist,
312 personal chats with a Member of Congress… this week.
370 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this
85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 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

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of July 19, 2019

COP on the Hill

Cautious Optimism: I learned this week that the Really Big Boys Who Control the Swamp might attach the clean, simple 10th Amendment bill to some ‘must pass’ legislation and quietly be signed by the Prez. I’ll keep you posted.

Fun Story of the Week: Thursday, I was strolling down the hallway of the Rayburn building, as two staffers, not familiar, approached from the opposite direction. One asked if it was “free sample day.” I replied, ‘no, the free sample day is always on Friday.’ “Ok…See you tomorrow and giggled.” She replied. I am telling you that my Free Sample Friday slogan is more known/widespread than I thought. I am still chuckling over this. BTW, even the Capitol Police ask about it… Seriously, you can’t make this up.

As my voice wears out faster and knees begin to bark in the afternoon, I feel damn good about what I am doing…creating an ambiance for change. I really wish I could film my interactions with staff and my presentations. Suffice to say, that a vast majority of even Republican staffers are On Our Side.

Next week I will be in Iowa for RAGBRAI (Sturgis for bicycle nuts).. 22,000 bikers (pedal) go from River to River, 420 miles in 7 days. I am doing this with 3 others in a coordinated effort for media and exposure. And yes, the temp in Council Bluffs, Iowa on start day = Sunday will be 100…Cowboy Up!!!

Yes, this Iowa gig is a COP sponsored event. I am NOT doing for fun.. several presidential candidates are expected to participate for part of the trip.

This week’s stats:
3218 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 16 this week
01 Meetings – Grover Norquist

COP stats since inception: August 2009
312 personal chats with a Member of Congress… this week.
370 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this
85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 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

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of July 12, 2019

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of July 12, 2019

Having some fun at work: My law enforcement friend at the German embassy invited me to a Sommer Fest soirée yesterday. I had good chats with a British LE agent about smuggling drugs, cigarettes and people, an ATF agent about Red Flag laws (formally an Indiana State Trooper), among several others. It was most enjoyable to “work” with a cold, German beer in my hand.

Show Up!: I was able to chat with three Members this week – one of whom was in line with me at the Subway shop in Rayburn; another was waiting for an elevator in the Senate; the Cwoman was coming into her office, as I was going out… seriously, just go to work and stuff happens.

This week’s stats:

3202 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 08 this week
312 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week. Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), Cwoman Katie Hill (D-CA), CMan Ben Kline (R-VA)
370 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 02 this week (two candidates for Congress in 2020)
02 Meetings – Grover Norquist, Wilson Center on Mexico

COP stats since inception: August 2009

85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 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

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of July 5, 2019

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of July 5, 2019

Impress, Persuade: The criminal justice adviser to an Arkansas Senate office noticed my name plate and the German flag…We spoke auf Deutsch the next 20 minutes before he made sure I spoke English too. For whatever reason, I held his attention for nearly an hour of chat. All good.

Worth looking back: about eight years ago I had an existential crisis regarding my career on Capitol Hill as an advocate and lobbyist. I seriously considered quitting. It seemed to me that I was ineffective and not moving the issue forward. Fortunately, my mentor Eric Sterling, and I had a long talk about my activities on the Hill and what they meant. He assured me that my Yeoman’s work was having an impact.

I looked it up in the dictionary when I came home – what was Yeoman’s work? A few weeks later ending a presentation to a Senate staffer, he commented that I was doing Yeoman’s work. And I have never looked back since then. And again this week, I made a full presentation to an Idaho office staffer who started four years ago as a receptionist and remembered me coming in with information about the drug war. And now he advises the senator on criminal justice matters. Thanks to all of you who kept the faith and encouraged me. We are close to changing the USA policy.

This week’s stats:

3194 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 10 this week in the Senate

COP stats since inception: August 2009

309 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week.
368 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
00 Meetings – Grover Norquist
85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 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

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of June 28, 2019

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of June 28, 2019

The Buckle, The Shirt, The Hat: it seemed like every other office someone mentioned my ‘uniform.’ Saw me in the shirt at CPAC, what is the buckle about, nice hat! Over and over. As you know, being remembered is the Gold Standard for a lobbyist. And they do remember.

Not for nothin: I had a solid chat with a presidential advisor attached to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). No disagreement that for 1.2 trillion tax dollars, the nation’s Return on Investment was, Not Much. It always floats my boat to meet a WH staffer.

Toe to Toe: Making the rounds in a House building, the Communications Director approached and simply said, “love the shirt.” (it was my fun Friday, where I wear my heroin shirt). He was all on board to legalize all drugs. After 10 minutes he introduced me to the Chief of Staff (also an MD) to the R office from a Great Plains state. He and I went 20 minutes toe to toe, he defending the war on drugs and me on the other side…I asked him 4-5 times to name one advantage of the policy and he always deflected, never even trying to answer it…it was fun.

This week’s stats:

3184 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 12 this week
309 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week. Cwoman Ilhan Omar(D-MN)
368 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week White House economics advisor
01 Meetings – Grover Norquist

COP stats since inception: August 2009

85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 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