COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of May 23, 2014
Posted June 2nd, 2014 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of May 23, 2014
Energizer Bunny: Stopping by an R office from Virginia, the Legislative Director said ‘glad to see you again’…we had an excellent chat. He asked how long I had been here (8 years). He said he started out at the same time (as a legislative correspondent, then aide and now Director). He remarked I was the most omnipresent guy in the House Buildings over the years. He looks up and there is the hat.
His boss, the Member, will never vote to repeal any prohibition but his LD is now firmly on our side. It was a solid, feel-good moment in my career.
Constituent power: Thanks to the persistence of COP member Linda Ronan of Alaska, I was able to have a 20 minute meeting with her Congressman Don Young. I thanked him for his endorsement of HR 1523to repeal federal, marijuana prohibition. He was a down-to-earth guy and gave me some solid ideas on how to help move the bill. Thanks Linda.
Generate a Headsnap: Republican members, especially on the Armed Service Committee, from time to time have military personnel as legislative aides. When the receptionist gave me the card of the new criminal justice aide, I read James Zumwalt. I asked her if this gentleman were any relation to a former admiral in the Navy; he is the grandson. Note: my dad was a career Marine and I have had a keen interest in military affairs all my life.
Future Members of Congress:
This week four candidates for House seats presented themselves at Grover’s brunch. Afterwards I had a brief chat with them all. This is the letter I send to all such folks (2-6 per week).
Morning ‘John,’
It was a pleasure to meet and chat with you at Grover’s this week. If I can ever be of service, please just ask.
I am a retired detective who since 2005 has represented in the halls of Congress law enforcement who are against prohibition. At the federal level I push the wise and simple concept of employing the 10th Amendment regarding drug policy, starting with marijuana. NOTE: the national NAACP endorsed this bill in October 2013. Pat Robertson declared his support for legal, taxed marijuana in 2012. Governor Perry of Texas declared his support for a 10th Amendment approach in January 2014. Remember, as a Congressman, all you have to do is ‘plead the 10th.’
The federal govt wastes 3 Billion a year on marijuana prohibition, a billion of which is borrowed from China.
Have a drug problem? See a doctor, not a judge.
Sincerely,
1535 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 07 this week
56 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 01 this week (long chat)
- COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 81 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 1 this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
- 18 major conferences attended.. this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 26 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
78 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. 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. … 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
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