Posted May 16th, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of May 8, 2015
Where is the Luftwaffe? On the 8th I was invited to the German embassy for a lunch meeting. My contact is leaving for a new assignment. He wanted me to make a solid connection with his replacement. Halfway thru lunch, the skies were filled with large, noisy mosquitoes, as World War planes flew overhead for an aerial parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII.
One of the three Germans at the table said the German planes should be coming soon to shoot the Americans down. Who said the Germans have no sense of humor?
No one blinks: On my fun day (wearing The Shirt- see home page) I am often patting my briefcase, saying it is full of free samples and is THE reason I expect to pass the bill. Even going thru security (Capitol police who arrested my friend Irv Rosenfeld a year ago), I tell the police about my jam-packed case full of samples…they just smile and wave me thru.
Almost everyone breaks into a smile, or cracks a grin or gives me a thumbs up, when they read the shirt in the hallways of the Congress. It is a very positive sign that in the Halls of Power, few take seriously that marijuana should be illegal.
He likes cigars: Dropping off 100 notices of the new repeal MJ prohibition bill in Rayburn, Rep. Sensenbrenner ( R-WI) {chairman of the subcommittee on crime and drugs), happened to come out of his personal office, when I came thru the front door. As I was chatting with the aide, I smelled a cigar, as the Congressman came back thru the reception area. No doubt he read my shirt (it was a fun day), no doubt annoying him. Mission accomplished.
Five O’clock Somewhere: I was finishing up a floor in Rayburn about to head home, when an aide I had met previously engaged me in a chat. He and his buddy asked if I liked whiskey & then invited me into the back for a conversation. Nearly an hour later and having solved several world problems, we decided to go home.
Karen, recently nominated for Sainthood, kissed me, when I finally arrived home.
Note: much time was spent this week preparing for the German lunch i.e. studying my vocabulary
1838 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 05 this week
03 meetings this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
16 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. this week
68 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
145 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week
88 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
57 Radio Interviews.. this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
81 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted May 8th, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of May 1, 2015
Hat Trick (3) Congressmen: The Texas State Society puts on a breakfast once a month and I always try to go. Their speakers never disappoint. This month it featured the last man to walk on the moon – Gene Cernan of Apollo 17.
The café had 8-10 tables and none had a reserve sign, so I just picked one. The gods of chance smiled upon me. As the crowd moved in, I was at the VIP table, sitting next to three R Congressmen: Lamar Smith (former chairman of the Judiciary Comm), Judge Gohmert and Rep. Babin. It was my 6 to7th mini-chat with Gohmert (said he was closer to 10th Amendment than before). I chatted with Babin 10 minutes; half politics and half health (he also has a problem I have). I ended up the day with 5 total chats with Reps.
Cernan kept us spell-bound (I got goose bumps) for 30 minutes. At 82 he is sharp as any fighter pilot. He is awe – inspiring. Wow. He went to the moon at 25,000 MPH, while I rode across a continent at 6 MPH.
Guess who is coming to lunch?: Finishing my lunch in the Longworth café, the two guys at the end of the long table were discussing the Freddy Gray (Baltimore) homicide. They were stumped on a police question so I offered my experience. They asked a few questions and I ended up in a 10 minute chat. I became emotional as I expressed the futility of police efforts and the pain, suffering and death my colleagues cause as they pursue/enforce the war on drugs/people policy. We introduced ourselves as they got up to leave….Congressman Poliquin – freshman R from Maine and his chief of staff.
Here we go again, luckily: Rep. Rohrabacher introduced his repeal Fed MJ prohibition bill this week: HR 1940. “Amends the Controlled Substances Act to provide that provisions of such Act related to marihuana shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with state laws relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, administration, or delivery of marijuana.”
1833 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 13 this week
16 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 02 this week
68 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 03 this week
01 meetings this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
145 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week
88 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
57 Radio Interviews.. this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
81 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted May 4th, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of April 24, 2015
Seth Whitecotton: is a COP member from Atlanta. He flew in Tuesday to learn, to help and the week did not disappoint. We did about 15 presentations together. On Thursday he spent the whole day in the Senate, working the trenches as a citizen lobbyist, distributing “Cheerful News” from Colorado to nearly all 100 offices. Thank you Seth.
Who knew?” Having lunch in the Longworth café, two gentlemen to my left were speaking Spanglish (switching from English to Spanish at random times). I asked them about this..10 minutes later I knew all about Puerto Rico’s serious, lively debate to possibly go Colorado. They were two Senators in their commonwealth’s legislature & given my fluency in Spanish thought that perhaps I might be effective testifying before their committee (one was the minority whip). Stay tuned.
Tables Turned: I knew the gentleman in the elevator was a Congressman but how to start a chat? I am uncomfortable intruding too blatantly on a person just going from point A to B. sooo, “nice boots” I remarked (he was wearing Ostrich cowboy boots). I ended up walking with him to his office, 5-6 minutes. He was already on our side and now knows LEAP really well.
1820 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 21 this week
14 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 02 this week
65 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 03 this week
145 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 02 this week (Puerto Rico Senators)
88 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 01 this week (Froma Harrop – Washington Writers Group)
01 meetings this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
57 Radio Interviews.. this week
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
81 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted April 22nd, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of April 17, 2015
Part-time allies: Senator Grassley (R-IA) is a super drug warrior since ever and will die believing in drug prohibition. He demonstrated this week the wisdom of being on good terms with all offices. He ripped into the head of the police union (FOP – my old union) for its defense of CAF – civil asset forfeiture. Most Senators said serious changes needed to be made, due to the abuses by the police and prosecutors. I was there and it felt good to see/hear the dialog. On this day Senator Grassley was my political friend.
The Chief Legal Counsel to one Senator said hello and we chatted. I was pleased he remembered me. I recalled the face but not the office (everyone should wear a name plate like I do).
Boring and necessary: I spent two days delivering 2015 updates to the Senate offices and updating my info about each office. They were my first days in the Senate this year. I wore my COP shirt and not only does that make for a fun day, I had the distinct feeling it was a positive way to dress. The reactions from staff were (like the House) overwhelming positive, i.e. smiles, thumbs up, ‘like the shirt,’ etc. Fire chiefs were all over the place (their national lobby day)…two asked why and one gave me a heartfelt “Good luck.”
Are you crazy?: One Senate staffer was perhaps too bold. He was escorting 3 very expensive suits thru the door to the back conference rooms, when he said, “I like your shirt.” I replied, thanks & I have free samples in my brief case. He replied, “Can you come back at 5?” I was astounded he would be that open, contemptuous of the law in front of two colleagues and three lobbyists. I hope/trust he still has a job.
I mumbled something about the samples would all be gone by 5 o’clock, as he and the other 3 disappeared thru the door.
My comment/pitch to the offices: ‘Hi. I represent police officers who think it is nonsense to chase a green plant. Who is the LA (legis. Asst) who handles judiciary, crime, chasing a green plant type issues?’ Suffice to say that the question made close to a majority of the staffers have a small or larger grin.
1799 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 03 this week
04 meetings this week (Grassley hearing on CAF = Civil Asset Forfeiture)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
62 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
143 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week (delegates to UN meeting)
57 Radio Interviews.. this week
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
87 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
12 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
81 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted April 14th, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of April 10, 2015
Appreciation: After asking the aide to have the Republican Member re-visit the 10th Amendment re: marijuana policy, the aide said softly, “Thanks for what you are doing.” We can rest assured that his voice will bring up the 10th in staff chats on marijuana policy.
Freedom isn’t free: http://www.standard-journal.com/opinion/article_c0c5cf08-e003-11e4-b35d-bf8a1abef4cf.html — Second print article from my trip to central PA.
New Technology: On Thursday evening I did my first presentation via Skype to a group of college students in Florida. It was a bit strange to not see the audience. The organizer was pleased and that is what counts.
From one of contacts in Vienna:
“It was a pleasure to meet you, as well; your passion was a welcome ingredient in the room during our discussions in Vienna.
Indeed, UNDP intends to be quite engaged in the UNGASS 2016 on drug policy, and I look forward to seeing you in NYC then. In the meantime, I will share with you our policy paper on the impacts of drug control policy on human development, when it is finalized.”
1796 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 20 this week
62 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 01 this week ( Dr. Price (GA-R)
02 meetings this week
Presentation to Florida college students via Skype
COP stats since inception: August 2009
143 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week (delegates to UN meeting)
57 Radio Interviews.. this week
38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… this week
22 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 01 this week
87 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
12 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
81 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
? 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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
