COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of October 6, 2017

COP on the Hill:

Stories from the week of October 6, 2017

Back in the Saddle =The Steps of the Capitol: I met MPP’s Don Murphy on the exterior Capitol steps and in the next hour had good chats with 3 Congressmen. Moving over to the Senate, 2 more chats. It felt really good to speak truth to power. BTW, I did NOT know how stressed I was in the first 8 months of 2017, until I started to unwind with long walks, etc. during my vacation.

Not the best answer: On the last day in Germany I was asked to make a presentation to a high school class. The Q & A lasted an hour. One question was, “Why do people take drugs.” I gave my standard answer w/o thinking, “Because drugs make you feel better.” Man fühlt sich besser. = oops

The teacher quickly explained & elaborated on my answer, as she immediately recognized the incompleteness of my answer. I chipped in with a much fuller explanation. After about three minutes we believe the students were informed with facts and not an endorsement to use drugs.

Severely annoyed by myself, I took the question to Facebook, receiving 144 comments. A summary of the reasons people take drugs (illegal ones) at the very bottom. I will be more accurate & complete next time, especially with teens.

This week’s stats:

2557 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 03 this week
232 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 05 this week (3 Congressmen, 2 Senators)
212 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 02 this week (2 candidates in the Republican, Congressional primaries)
03 meetings

COP stats since inception: August 2009
149 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
78 Radio Interviews. 0 this week
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
72 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 00 this week
26 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc) 00 this week (CPAC)
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
* 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

Why take illegal drugs?

A. expect to feel better than you do right now, at least temporarily.

B. Looking for a thrill, escape this reality

C. Part of the human experience is to try new things whether a new food, a new activity, new drugs, etc. = curiosity

D. Peer group pressure. Your friends talk you into it. “Fit in.” This is very common.

E. Several illegal drugs reduce pain (both physical and mental) and thus can be used for medical reasons.

F. Just for fun

G. More energy via caffeine, amphetamine

H. Improve your creativity