COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 20 & 27, 2013

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:

• www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition
• POB 543
• Buckeystown, MD 21717