COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of January 3 & 10, 2014

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  This would become reality if the Congress repealed federal, MJ prohibition.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:

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