Posted June 25th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of June 14 & 21, 2019
Week of the 14th was a vacation week.
This comment from a lobbyist I ran into this week by chance.
That’s where I ran into you for the first time at the NRA Convention in Indianapolis 5 years ago……You seemed like a bizarre aberration in that crowd. I had to stop you and have a chat. We got to know each others point of views and it all made sense. Keep up the good work Howard.
This week’s stats:
3172 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this week
308 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week. Cman McGovern (D-MA)
367 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week Candidate for legislature in Pennsylvania.
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
Posted June 6th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of June 7, 2019
Outlook for 2019-2020: Not encouraging. I had a 30 minute chat with the aide to Senator Gardner (R-CO) who authored the STATES Act (S-1023) = the clean, simple 10th Amendment bill to end federal prohibition of marijuana. It will take a small miracle to attach it to must pass legislation. Know any prayers? Regardless, I will be in the hallways of Congress moving the issue, one centimeter at a time.
Keeps me going: I met with a Midwest Senate office. The mid-level staffer explained as we shook hands that he remembered me from years ago. He started as a receptionist in a House office. He said, he looked forward to me dropping off materials for his criminal justice colleague. He always read the info, before passing it on. It was such a pleasure to have this chance to sit down with me for half an hour.
Touched, I was.
Gas & Oil Conference??!!: Professional friends have invited me to this classy conference (12 embassies were represented) the past four years. Probably they like my hat in the fotos? Plus, I do impress, when I use my four languages. Anyway, one attendee complained about a lack of oil field workers due to a conviction on a drug charge. I explained this could be cured by adopting the Portugal decrim approach.
This week’s stats:
3163 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 02 this week
366 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week German Ambassador
01 Meetings – 2 Day International Gas & Oil Conference
COP stats since inception: August 2009
307 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
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
Posted June 2nd, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Take my breath away: The ‘bicycle’ lady (brings a mini, fold-up bike on the train) and I have been taking the same train for 10 years now. We always just exchange hellos. After, “How is it going?” she replied not good….her 25 y/o son in Arizona had been physically arrested for four(4) grams of marijuana. Multiple problems with bail, phone calls, finding a lawyer. Her pain was a Tsunami in volume and after I sat down, I couldn’t shake it. A few minutes later the tears came down both cheeks for several minutes. I am becoming an old softie….I am helping her, mostly letting her vent.
At Grover’s meeting I had a good chat with my White House contact.
During the four (4) day Memorial week, I had 16 planned, 30-minute meetings with Senate staffers. It is a morale booster to put in a solid, productive week.
Shaking my head: After my presentation to a Plains State R office chief legal counsel, I asked for questions, comments. ‘ I am the father to three (3) boys and I don’t want them to have any contact with drugs. I can’t support your ideas.’ OMG. I expect that emotional commentary from regular citizens but not from a CLC for a US Senator. IMO and experience, no oratory, no stats, no documentation will ever knock him off his desire for no drugs near his boys, and thus no changes to the drug war.
This week’s stats:
3161 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 16 this week
365 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week upper level White House staffer
02 Meetings – Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
307 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week Senator Klobachar (D-MN)
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
Posted May 16th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of May 17, 2019
Better late than never: Making my rounds in the Senate, I spotted presidential candidate Amy Klobochar. I was able to introduce myself and COPs. I was mid-sentence about the current legislation (STATES Act), when another part of my brain screamed, she was already a co-sponsor. I paused, thanked her for being a co-sponsor and kept going. FYI, it is considered rude behavior to engage in idle chatter with a Member, unless invited.
How to start a chat: the staffer noticed my buckle, as I was coming down the hall and remarked it was the biggest he had ever seen. The next 8 minutes or so, we discussed the STATES Act and how to go 3100 miles on a horse…all good. PS The ‘LONG RIDER’ buckle at 5 X 4 inches is by far the largest buckle worn by any of the 25,000 lobbyists in the Swamp.
Pull Needed: I informed my professional friend and local VIP Grover Norquist about the meeting last week with a senior, R office.
This week I delivered to all Senate offices a list of pejorative reasons police officers do NOT want MJ legalized. See bottom
This week’s stats:
3145 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 12 this week
307 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week Senator Klobachar (D-MN)
364 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week R Candidate for NC 03 House seat
85 Radio Interviews.. 01 this week
01 Meetings – Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
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
Reasons Police Officers do not want MARIJUANA legalized:
1. Ability to Search: Using marijuana smell as a claim/lawful reason, officers are able to search essentially any vehicle or person they come in contact with. With legalization – this ability will be severely restrained…as we already see in Colorado.
1A. Racist cops want this tool (prohibition) to hurt people they don’t like.
2.Money: nationwide -the police earn via wages and overtime circa 11-13 billion per year, due to marijuana being illegal. Fear of layoffs due to legalization. Also, the ‘free’ federal $$.
2A. Money: the police earn circa five (5) billion from civil asset forfeiture. Marijuana arrests consistently constitute half of all drug arrests, thus half of the money.
3. Emotional: Officers who have buried colleagues (essentially every cop in the USA), due to a drug raid, shot at a traffic stop involving drug trade – these officers do not want to confront the emotional trauma their partner, friend, colleague died “for nothing,” in vain.
4. Cognitive Dissonance: For 80 years Law Enforcement has demonized marijuana, up to including being as dangerous as heroin. To admit they were wrong, is often impossible for them.
5. In order to be promoted, street cops know they need high arrest numbers. Marijuana arrests are / can be numerous, easy to find and with minor, personal risk.
List prepared by Detective Howard J. Wooldridge, Bath Township, Michigan (retired)
Posted May 12th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of May 3 & 10, 2019
Unhappy husband: On the bike, about to leave a motorcycle rally (500 attending) in Wisconsin, the helmet was on and the bike started, when Lisa, mom w/ a 15 y/o daughter, asked me why legalize heroin. When I replied we could arrest more pedophiles, she high-fived me and expressed thanks. Finally, 2-3 minutes later, as she was giving me a fierce hug (helmet still on), her husband yelled at her it was time to go.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: The meeting took a couple of five (5) years to arrange and it did happen on Friday with a senior, Republican Senate office. Don Murphy of MPP was my wingman for the scheduled 30 minutes which stretched to 40.
Our main argument was that the Senate should pass the clean, 10th Amendment bill (S-1028) to help Republicans avoid more Mia Love type losses (2 term CWoman from Utah, who lost in 2018 by ½ of 1%…per the Lt. Gov. of Utah, medical MJ on the ballot pushed Democratic turn out by upwards of 2%, thus causing her to lose).
So, if the Congress ended fed, MJ prohibition conventional wisdom is a solid ten (10) states would legalize/regulate before the 2020 election. Also, Democratic turnout would be less over-all around the US, as young people would be less likely to vote w/o MJ being an issue (all but Biden have said they would legalize or at least end the fed prohibition). Prez Trump would be given some, begrudging credit for signing the bill.
For Ds who don’t want more Rs in Congress, nor the White House – a victory for marijuana policy could result in losses for D candidates.
On the other hand, an end to the 84 year-running fed, MJ prohibition would result in hundreds of thousands fewer arrests, fewer teens shot selling MJ, more pedophiles and other felons caught (WA and CO are already seeing this per neutral study), fewer minority drivers harassed by racist cops, signal for ending the entire Drug War, etc….
So, know this was not an easy decision, it is extremely complicated and tough call that I made. Moreover, my job, my mission is to end all federal drug prohibition. Full-stop.
PS. On a personal note, it was simply wonderful, a relief to leave DC after 3 straight months of being in the Swamp.
This week’s stats:
3133 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 2 this week
306 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week (CMan Buck R-CO, CMan Carbajal D-CA, CMan McClintock R-CA)
01 Meetings – monthly House MJ coordinating meet
COP stats since inception: August 2009
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
363 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
85 Radio Interviews.
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
Apply the Tenth Amendment to Marijuana
HR-2093 & S-1028
Washington, D.C. – April 5, 2019 U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) & House Members Dave Joyce (R-OH} and Earl Blumenauer {D-OR} reintroduced the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act (STATES Act) with broad bipartisan support that spans the political spectrum.
• Amend the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) so that – as long as states and tribes comply with a few basic protections – its provisions no longer apply to any person acting in compliance with State or tribal laws relating to cannabis activities.
