Posted March 11th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of February 15, 2019
Just show up and:
Have chats with three Congressman in their offices
Have a lobbyist for the transportation industry make contact and wants help with truck drivers and DUIM.
Get in wrong line for MJ Banking hearing and end up with in camera interview with Christian Broadcast Network + later follow up question.
Chat for 10 minutes with new staffer in the hallway after lunch (after he asked what COP stood for)
15 presentations to staff regarding the Swiss MAT -heroin treatment approach
And just enjoyed the heck out of being in the middle of the process.
This week’s stats:
292 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week {Cman Buck, R-CO, Cman Cleaver, D-MO, CMan Green D-TX}
3019 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 15 this week
100 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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…01 this week Christian BN
2 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
289 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
360 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0this week
85 Radio Interviews.
154 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}
30 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 -ALEC
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 February 11th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of February 1 and 8, 2019
Week of February 1 was all Executive Time aka on a cruise:
Silent Majority: On the cruise a 46-year veteran of police work asked why. As I began to answer, he moved in close and in a loud voice, spitting mad, cut me off and declared I was a disgrace to the profession and my shirt should read SOME Cops say. He stated his work history of arresting hundreds for drugs.
After he left, I went over to the nearest table where the woman had to have heard and probably disturbed by the confrontation. I apologized for the disturbance. She replied,’ Not at all. And thank you’ nodding to my shirt. I could have kissed her. As I don’t know how many are annoyed by the shirt, likewise how many are clapping with one hand. That makes two nasty encounters in the first six months of the ‘heroin’ shirt.
Small Steps: At the Grover brunch I had a solid chat with the Republican Treasurer of Kansas. He is running for the US Senate seat, to replace retiring Senator Roberts, our friend. I spoke to him of the goal and strategies of COP. His response was encouraging.
As you know, I am fortunate to have chats like this nearly every week via the Grover Brunch. And we will never know, individually, if they have an impact on policy. Nonetheless, they provide me with powerful motivation to go to work, and, in the macro, I have no doubts they help move the issue in the right direction.
Pod Cast: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/ywc/episodes/2019-01-29T08_00_32-08_00
30 minutes with a law professor in Knoxville, TN…taped two weeks ago…I do this show about 2-3 times a year.
This week’s stats:
360 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week Jake LaTurner, Treasurer of Kansas
3004 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 18 this week
2 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
289 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
85 Radio Interviews.
154 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}
30 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 -ALEC
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 February 11th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of January 25, 2019
Fun story of the week: Leaving the Cannon building after a good day, I passed Texas Republican John Carter on the steps. We had met before. We said hello and then I asked, “10th Amendment for marijuana this year Congressman?” He responded he wasn’t sure about that. I responded with a well-known refrain in Texas on many Congressional websites, “Let Texas Run Texas.” And that, Ladies and Gentlemen is how u have an effective communication in 20 seconds.
COP will be billed for the overtime: I went to all offices in Cannon this week, gathering info on staff and distributing my summary of the drug war after 1.2 trillion. Entering an R Texas office, I made the usual inquiry of who was the drug war staffer, plus my usual bantering with the 3 female staffers in the reception area. Bill the Chief of Staff came from out of his, shook my hand and then summoned appropriate staffer for my issue. She said sure to a five-minute chat. NOTE: Bill and I know each for about 10 years thru contacts at the Grover Norquist meeting. After 7 minutes Bill popped into the room, declaring I was 2 minutes over the 5 minutes. I responded it was Erin’s fault because she said Houston was a nicer city than my Fort Worth..and I had to defend my hometown. I said bill me for the OT and Bill said he would.
I then had a good chat with just Bill at a whisper, saying the time has come for his boss to vote 10th Amendment, adding, “don’t end up like Pete Sessions.” (20-year Cman Sessions was defeated in November).
NOTE: Minus Carter, I only spoke about the Swiss HAT program to the other 3 Cman. Another 200 Americans died today from a heroin OD and it grinds me to the bone.
This week’s stats:
289 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 04 this week R-TX John Carter, R-LA Mike Johnson, R-MI Jack Bergman and R-KS Steve Watkins
3004 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 18 this week
2 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
359 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
85 Radio Interviews.
154 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}
30 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 -ALEC
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 January 24th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of January 18, 2019
Fun story of the week: Going door to door in the House, a Texas Republican, Cman Williams, was approaching me in the hallway. We had had breakfast together about a year ago and I had the chance to introduce myself and my politics.
I said, “Mornin Congressman.” He muttered something, then I heard ‘liberal Texas cowboys’ and then more mutter. I was thrilled that he remembered me AND also my point of view!! I guess I made an impression.
Rebuttal: one of my two principal sources of news for my job is The Crime Report (Marijuana Moment is the other)…just before 2019 they published a piece on why LE needs a roadside tester for marijuana enforcement, hinting that without such a device, DUIM was nearly impossible to enforce. The author was never a cop.
I complained and the editors invited me write a rebuttal and voilà. About a 4 minute read: https://thecrimereport.org/2019/01/17/marijuana-and-driving-a-cops-perspective/ There is NO substitute for hands-on experience.
Marijuana and Driving: A Cop’s Perspective
Do we need roadside tests for marijuana? A veteran detective argues that experienced police can easily identify motorists intoxicated by non-alcoholic substances without special equipment—and get them off the road. The Crime Report
That was nice: I was making first contact with a new office from Illinois, when a senior staffer grabbed my attention to say, ‘I’ve been here six years and you are the hardest working lobbyist I know.” I thanked her and feeling a bit taken aback, I finished my task and went on to the next office.
This week’s stats:
285 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 04 this week Jahana Hayes. D-CT, Donna Shalala D-FL, Roger Williams R-TX , Grijalva D-AZ
2996 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 28 this week
359 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week TN state senator Brian Kelsey (super chat)
2 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
On Friday I wore my new heroin shirt for the first time to Congress (note: I never wear it , when the Congress is in session): foto in separate email, I hope…or its on my FB page.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
85 Radio Interviews.
154 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}
30 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 -ALEC
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 January 14th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of January 11, 2019
Friends in high places-
1. I spoke to my White House advisor friend on Wednesday at the Grover Norquist meeting for five minutes. I clarified what our (MJ reform) strategy was for 2019 and asked him to suggest to Senator McConnell to allow the votes on MJ bills. BTW, the macro, 2019 strategy is the same as the last 8 years; a clean simple use of the 10th Amendment for marijuana.
2. I had a longer chat at the end of the meeting with Grover. I gave him an overview of where we are in January 19 and our path forward. Grover gave me some new, positive info which raised my expectations for 2019 to terminate the fed prohibition of God’s green plant, i.e. repeal the 1937 law.
3. I asked CMan Bill Flores (D-TX), if he would support a 10th Amendment MJ bill this year. He said he would (that would be a change from his past voting record).
Still spending my time going door to door to update office numbers and personnel changes…it will take at least all of January.
I will continue to balance my time between meeting with Hill staffers and “hanging out” on the Capitol steps for a brief chat with Members.
This week’s stats:
281 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week (Cman Bill Flores, D-TX)
2968 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this week
85 Radio Interviews. 01 this week (Law School in Knoxville podcast)
2 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
358 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week (MS-R) Tate Reeves, Lt. Governor (running for Gov)
154 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}
30 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 -ALEC
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
