Posted January 25th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of January 24, 2014
Job Option: I had my third meeting with John at a Senate office. It had been two years and we spent a minute catching up. His wife had their first child 2 months ago and he looked like a man with no sleep. I bragged on our 4 month old granddaughter and 4 y/o grandson.
Near the end of our 15 minute chat I mentioned my desire to terminate the job option to sell drugs for my grand kids and by extension John’s and everyone’s. I said having grand kids certainly focuses the mind and energy to do all one can to protect them. He agreed. He said he appreciated my passion.
I had never before mentioned my own grand kids in a presentation. I will in the future. I choked up during the chat, thinking of Hudson & Charlie whom I had just seen the prior weekend.
Slowing Down: I am making a major change in my day to day work on the Hill. I will be attempting a presentation with each of the 535 offices only once each session, instead of the previous once per year. The mental and physical requirements for completing that level of contact has become too much for this cowboy.
Late last year I had coffee with my mentor and COP Board Member Eric Sterling. I was on the verge of making COP an organization which would primarily connect speakers to Rotaries and radio. Luckily, Eric guided me to this compromise approach. I will still make contact via email and handouts to all offices in order to keep our issue and solution front and center with the Members. I love the work and always will. However, boarding a train at 0740 for a 10-12 hour day is a tough first step.
• 1477 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 07 this week
• 40 Radio Interviews.. 01 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
• 55 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 0 this week
• 48 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0
• 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
• 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
• 17 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
• 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
• 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
• 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. If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution… Go to:
• www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition
• POB 543
• Buckeystown, MD 21717
Posted January 20th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of January 17, 2014
Just show up…with The Hat: After a morning at Grover’s meeting I came out of the Longworth House Office Bldg. elevator to hand-deliver a note to Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke (thanking him for signing onto HR 1523). Georgia R Congressman Woodall was walking towards the elevator, when he pointed to me and said, “You were on the front row at Grover’s this morning.”
“Guilty.” I replied. We shook hands and I was able to have a 90 second chat on the 10th Amendment and HR 1523. He promised to give it a look. After we parted, I went directly to his office and dropped off a copy of the one sentence bill.
At Congressman O’Rourke’s office I asked to see his Chief of Staff for a minute (we have met before). I spied the Congressman whom I had met before. We shook hands, I thanked him for endorsing the bill and I asked him who else might sign. He recommended talking to Congressman Cardenas which I will.
Ask the right question: At a packed (170 person) seminar on Mexican security at the Wilson Center I used my hat to attract attention and sure enough, I was the first called up during Q and A. I stated that Guatemalan President Perez-Molina was in favor of legalizing all drugs in order to diminish the power of the Cartels in Central America… The five on the panel all jumped in to answer this question and it ended up taking up half of the Q and A time.
It IS who you know: When a Spanish-speaking Florida-based radio station wanted me to be a guest in 45 minutes…to discuss Senator Reid’s statement regarding his changing views on marijuana, I knew how to spend those minutes. I called Reid’s office and asked to speak with his chief legal counsel, Gavin Parke…I have had 3 meetings with him over the past 5 years. I asked about his two young kids, etc. & I was able to obtain a bit more info on what the Senator was doing. I spread that positive news during the subsequent 20 minute radio interview in español….Building relationships these past eight (8) years is really beginning to pay dividends. Double shot of Crown this week.
PS>..the Chicago Tribune published my LTE in the Sunday edition (bottom)
- 1470 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 04 this week
- 39 Radio Interviews.. 01 this week
- 55 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 03 this week
- 48 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week (x Congressman)
- 73 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $72,000) 01this week
-
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
- 17 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 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. If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution… Go to:
MURDER TOLL
Speaking as a retired detective, I was astounded that your lament over the murder rate did not mention the massive role that drug prohibition plays in the carnage ( “Choosing Chicago’s murder toll; Defy the odds; Push the body count lower in 2014 and beyond,” Editorial, Dec. 29 ). Per experts testifying in the U.S. House, gang violence would be cut in half if, the gangs had no drugs to sell. You do your readers a disservice not mentioning the biggest driver of felony crime in Chicago.
– – Howard Wooldridge, Washington
Posted January 14th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of January 3 & 10, 2014
Push the macro concept: Wednesday was a busy day, starting with a 0730 breakfast of Texas Republicans. Congressman Gohmert was present and we have a small relationship. I asked him that given the smooth roll-out in Colorado, whether his next vacation would take him there. He smiled and shook his head…Later had two good chats with some local VIPs in the Republican Party. I pushed the idea that we need to remove marijuana as an issue for national debate before the next presidential cycle starts. This would become reality if the Congress repealed federal, MJ prohibition.
Later I gave the Grover Norquist group an update. Following that meeting was another meeting of an international group. I addressed them for 4-5 minutes, stressing the international economics of drug prohibition with an emphasis on how it funds terrorists who are corrupting and controlling small countries from Central America to the west coast of Africa. All of this NOT being good for business and security.
Who shakes your hand matters: Sunday we had breakfast at the local Cracker Barrel and it was over packed. Karen was also wearing her shirt and the hostess was about to lead us to our table, when the manager (coat & tie) asked why. Two minutes later he shook my hand and we were seated.
20 minutes later he came to our table to ask some more questions. I stood up and after another two minutes, he shook my hand. Many in the restaurant noticed and it certainly helps one’s credibility to have the manager openly support the shirt/position.
best film clip of 2013..5 minutes: http://wearechange.org/cops-say-legalize-pot/
Life: I will start presentations next week. I did catch up on all my paperwork over Christmas break. However, last Sunday I slipped on the ice and slightly dislocated my left shoulder. It is slowing me down a bit.. should be out of the sling in two weeks…able to ride my motorcycle in two months.
- 1466 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 01 this week
- 38 Radio Interviews.. 02 this week
- 52 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 01 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 47 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
- 17 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
- 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. If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution… Go to:
Posted December 27th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 20 & 27, 2013
As a professional I must contain and suppress any emotions, when dealing with the Congress and beyond. I read the same horror stories you did in 2013 of pain, suffering and death caused by drug prohibition. So how could I express myself to the Congress without going “over the line.” Tell me if you think I succeeded.
Evil Twin Brother: To deliver the Mexican Drug Cartel Association Christmas card – I had to go incognito. That meant jeans, baseball cap, tennis shoes, ordinary shirt and belt buckle. Only about 5-6 people recognized me. I explained they were thinking of my evil twin brother who wants to legalize drugs. ( think ‘City Slickers II’ the movie).
Here was my 45 second pitch to offices that I knew opposed COP goals:
‘Hi. I represent the Mexican Drug Cartel Association (said it little slow and loud). We want to thank Congressman Sensenbrenner for all his support in 2013 to keep marijuana illegal and hope he will do the same in 14. We agree that legalization would be a disaster, costing billions and billions.
Due to his voting record, the Cartels are going to make a generous contribution to his re-election campaign. We, The CARTELS, need more guys like your boss in Congress.’
When the aide said Merry Christmas, I replied “Igualmente.” {likewise to you}
***** As I was making my pitch, only about 20 aides realized – in the moment- that I was putting their boss shoulder to shoulder with the Cartel butchers…and I wish I could show you their faces….it went from all sunny and Christmas joy to ‘let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.’ It was precious. ….I have no doubts that w/in a minute of me leaving, the other 250 offices who heard the above realized what I had been saying.
Any office that had not taken an official position or was a supporter of ours I just said:
‘Hi. I represent the Mexican Drug Cartel Association. I bring Christmas greetings from the Cartels. We hope you will keep marijuana illegal. The card has some humor but you know we are serious. We ARE the Cartels.’
The card had a picture of Santa Claus with a young boy on his lap. The boy whose T-shirt read: Mexican Drug Cartels -was holding a gun to Santa’s head, as he gave him his Christmas request. “All I want is more Marijuana Prohibition. It’s good for my business.”
On the other side of the card I had a stamp which printed this:
Mexican Drug Cartel Association
Ciudad Juarez
Mexico
*The week of the 27th was spent on mountains of paperwork I have not dealt with.
On behalf of COP and its Board of Directors I want wish you and yours the very best in 2014.
- 1465 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 02 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 36 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
- · 47 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 51 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
- 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
- 17 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
- 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. If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution… Go to:
Posted December 14th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 13, 2013
Morning Senator: I was waiting for my 10 o’clock meeting to start, when Senator Roy Blunt (R- MO) came up to me, shook my hand and asked, “What information are you giving my office today?” I was able to give my 90 second pitch, emphasizing that I represented law enforcement who are against prohibition, advocate that drug issues should be handled by the medical community and the whole policy should be guided by the 10th Amendment. That was a first chat ever with a Senator in his office. A double Crown Royal that night. Just showing up is 80% of success.
You like that?: A fellow Texan and I were chatting near the elevators in the Longworth House Office Bldg, when I noticed Congressman Labrador (R-ID) approaching with an aide. When he came within easy ear-shot, I said in a fairly loud voice to my Texas buddy,” Idaho will legalize marijuana in the next few years.” The two looked at me for a moment and then went back to their conversation.
The Texan asked what I was doing, since we had not been talking about marijuana. I told him I wanted to give the Congressman something to ponder. He responded I was crazy in a good way.
You never know: First let me say that currently there are rumors of about 5 Senators that might become candidates for President. That said, I met with two aides of one of those 5. This was a follow-up meeting, as we first met in 2012. We had an excellent 45 minute chat, both stating they were one with me on marijuana being a states’ rights issue.
Their bosses biggest concern was how to answer the scenario of the DUI on marijuana. I explained the detection, arrest, evidentiary and court room procedures to win a conviction. I then pulled out of my briefcase a one pager of what I had just said. They said they felt they had a handle on the ‘how to’ and would bring the idea of a companion bill (to HR 1523) to the boss and explain how to arrest, prosecute a DUIM. Who knows? If this seed bears fruit, you will hear my scream.
- 1463 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 13 this week
- 52 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 01 this week
- 47 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 36 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
- 65 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
- 17 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
- 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. If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution… Go to:
