This town ain’t big enough for the two of us: After my 6 presentations to staffers on Monday, I entered the Metro subway to start the journey home. Tired and satisfied I was. On the platform was a young man in large cowboy hat. Experience told me he was a cowboy. Breaking out of my shyness, I walked boldly up to him and said, “This town ain’t big enough for two cowboy hats as big as ours. One of us has to leave.” In a soft Oklahoma drawl he immediately volunteered to go home. He and his dad have been in DC since May, lobbying for the National Cattlemen’s & Beef Association. DC was driving him crazy.

We enjoyed 15 minutes talking about horses, ranch work and life in Texas and Oklahoma. It reminded me of my previous life & how much I miss it. It was bitter sweet.

Spring Cleaning: I am now nearly done with my second round of meetings with aides in the House. One aide a year ago told me that he knew in his gut that use of drugs would skyrocket in a legal market. He stated he had no need to hear from experts on the issue. He has since left & I meet with his replacement this week.

I have detected noticeable changes in the staffers the past 2 years. No doubt, the muffinhead’s replacement will be more likely to listen to science than their gut.

Congressman, it is a pleasure to meet you: Earlier in the week, LEAP was contacted by a Congressional office. The Congressman wanted to meet with our representative. On Wednesday, the Congressman, his Chief of Staff and I sat down for a solid hour discussing federal prohibition and strategies forward. I am not at liberty to say more. This was the first time I have had a long discussion with a MOC. Medium step.

Thundering silence no more: On Thursday Senator Webb (D-VA) held his second hearing on the topic: Mass Incarceration. At What Cost? Senators and Congressmen heard more testimony from experts on the massive impact locking up 2.3 million people has on the country. Though media was scarce, our issue is finally receiving the attention it deserves.

After the hearing I spoke to Senator Webb for a minute, providing an answer to a question which the panel was unable to ask (how does expenditure of time arresting 845,000 for cannabis impact the other aspects of public safety/police work?). Thanks to the suggestion of Ethel in Florida & Eric here in DC, the next day I submitted that answer in writing which was made part of the permanent record for the hearing. As I made office visits on Friday, it was simply wonderful to tell the aides that, ‘look to Senator Webb on this issue. He is lighting a candle & speaking out.’ Small steps.

Below I am including the text of my statement given to Webb’s committee:

Testimony for the Joint Economic Committee, June 19, 2008

Assessing U.S. drug policy and providing a base for future decision

Howard J. Wooldridge

Bath Township, MI Police Detective Howard J. Wooldridge, (retired)

At the hearing of the Joint Economic Committee which Senator Webb chaired on June 19, 2008 two questions asked by the Members were not fully answered. Therefore, I would like the following information be included as part of the record for that hearing.

Regarding Senator Webb’s question on how the expenditure of time to arrest some 845,000 persons per year on marijuana charges impacts other areas of law enforcement: During my fifteen (15) years of police service I learned that my profession often searches and does not find anything illegal. Thus, one can not simply extrapolate the number of arrests times X hours of time per arrest. An average of ten (10) vehicle searches must be conducted in order to find one containing marijuana. Conservatively, 7-8 million hours of patrol time are spent enforcing marijuana prohibition laws. This results in less time for effective DUI, reckless driving and other traffic enforcement priorities.

Regarding Congressman Hinchey’s question of the percentage of prisoners whose crime touches in someway drug prohibition laws: My experience as a detective and in speaking with colleagues show 70-75% of felony crime touches drug prohibition policy.

Whether crimes committed go up or down, drug prohibition continues to be the engine driving the vast majority of felony crime in America.

And Senator Hagel+ makes 16,427:

Networking produces relationships. This concept brought me to the CATO Institute on Thursday, as Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel (R) spoke to a packed house. The program started at noon & as it has been blistering hot in DC, I rode my motorcycle to the Metro station. Although, I had on good blue jeans, good buckle, good hat & and my new, black LEAP t-shirt, this is a faux pas (coat and tie is THE uniform of DC) but the shirt attracts many & I end up talking about prohibition = success in networking.

CATO always serves a sandwich lunch after each presentation & Senator Hagel sold books in the same lobby. As he was walking out the door, he shook hands with those in his path. As he shook my hand, he leaned back and read out loud, “Cops say legalize drugs. Ask me why?” He tilted his head to indicate he wanted an answer. “Cut crime. No drug dealers.” I responded. He grinned and left the building.

It was a crown & chocolate night.

Power of One: Monthly I attend the breakfast at a conservative facility which trains future leaders of the conservative movement. This morning the speaker was Scott Swett, the man who created the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Asked how he got involved, he said it was unexpected. Early in 2004 he was upset with John Kerry being regarded as a ‘war hero.’ ‘Someone should really expose this guy for the fraud he is.’ He thought. And then like a wave washing over him, he realized he was the ‘someone.’ Love or hate this man, he probably was the single, most powerful reason Kerry lost to Bush in 2004. Never, ever, ever doubt the power of one.

Minding my own business when: After a few hours with Misty one morning this week (I have to work the weekend, so I snuck out to ride), I went to my favorite Mexican café (Chipotles) to enjoy a meal. Naturally I sat at the stool next to the cash register so everyone would read the t-shirt as they paid.

A young woman tapped me on the shoulder. “Is your t-shirt serious? Cops want to legalize drugs? WHY?”….and from her tone I believed she was about ready to hit me.

“Cut crime, no drug dealers & we can arrest more DUIs and child molesters.” I replied. Her face broke into a big smile, she shook my hand and thanked me for my position. Whew! No black eye to explain to my better half!

BONUS: She said she works for SAMHSA (federal agency dealing with substance abuse and mental health) in their treatment division. She invited me to address her colleagues during a ‘brown bag lunch’ seminar. It is being set up. She finished our conversation saying that a few years ago, when the Drug Czar was speaking to her group, she told him the war on drugs was a horrible policy and should be ended immediately.

What are we fighting for? Last month Bob in Colorado invited me into an on-going, on line discussion about war on drugs on a Coast Guard veteran’s site. After much was written, one man said, ‘why do you put so much energy into getting someone the right to snort cocaine up their nose?’ His question made me think.

My answer: ‘The larger issue I am working on is to stop allowing government agents to come into your home, take you and put you in a prison because of something you are doing to yourself. The next logical step is for the government, in the name of protecting citizens, to take fat people out of the home and put them on a fat farm until they become healthy (healthy as defined by the government). This answer shut the guy up.

Routine: Meeting an aide who was also the Legislative Director of the office this week, I asked if he knew of LEAP. “Sure.” He replied. The next 10 minutes I did little in the way of educating. The aide knew all the basic facts, the basic dynamics of the policy and its unintended consequences. At the end he remarked how this issue was not coming up any time soon. “I know.” I replied. ‘When it does come up, LEAP and I will be here.’

I walked away feeling satisfied that he already knew of LEAP. I was left wondering what year the change will begin in earnest.

Discouraging Moment: I attended a hearing of the full House Judiciary Committee on whether to approve an ‘emergency’ 400 million dollar aide package to local police to arrest drug dealers. I listened as 6 of my colleagues in law enforcement testified that the sky would fall in as their areas would arrest far fewer drug dealers, if they did not receive the money.

A staffer of every member of the Judiciary has received a LEAP presentation, which among other items, emphasizes the futility of arresting drug dealers large and small. Each has received a copy of the DEA pamphlet which states that: “Drugs are readily available to America’s youth…”

Not one of the 40 odd members of the committee asked the most important question (IMO): ‘Is it not true that all drug dealers arrested are quickly replaced? If that is so, what is the point in giving you more money to arrest more?’ The questions & comments from the Congressmen reminded me of a love fest, not a serious discussion of the issue.

Heavy sigh….back to work on Tuesday.

PS. Several of you wrote a few weeks back that I sounded discouraged and urged me to continue. Of course I am discouraged from time to time. Failure, however, is not an option. I will work on this bastard of a policy until it is in the history books or I draw my last breath. Not to worry.

Am I that easy to read? After every conference I attend, I send a short note to each person I talked to & remind them of LEAP. From Dr. George (Jorge) a doctor employed by a federal agency (I wrote to him in Spanish) he wrote:‘estoy alegre que estas vivo y coleando.’ Coleando? I had no clue. Translation = I am glad you are still alive and nagging = must be Spanish for ‘Troublemaker.’ LOL

Moment to remember: On Saturday I joined about 400 law enforcement members on a motorcycle run to the Police Officer’s Memorial in DC. My original intention was to politic but as soon as I saw the two walls with the names of 18,000 fallen officers, I never even started. The ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms…a federal agency) had made nice 6 X 9 inch (15cm x 25cm) cards of their fallen agents. I was struck by how many had died a LODD (Line of Duty Death) between 1919 and 1933.

After 10 minutes I realized I knew one name on the wall. I moved over to section 33W row 22: Gary Priess. We had worked in adjoining townships and had a friendly rivalry of who made the most traffic stops each year. While on a traffic stop in 2000, he was struck by a tractor-trailer. He was 44. I squatted there for many minutes, touching his name, remembering the good times. A hand touched my shoulder and squeezed. Such was the day.

Privacy Rights Anyone? On Wednesday I attended all day and was the last speaker at the GOAL conference (Gay, Lesbian, Trans-gender law enforcement professionals). I listened for two hours as these officers told their difficult story of coming out in the open as a gay man, etc. I should not have been surprised by how similar it is for officers to ‘come out’ against the Drug War/Drug Prohibition. Both are potential problems for the officer. LEAP allows members to ‘stay in the closet’ with our ‘stealth’ membership.

The response was about the same as a Rotary/Kiwanis club…most agreed & some could not wrap their minds around allowing an adult to buy a few grams of cocaine at the same place they buy their whiskey.

Too hot to talk about it: As I stop by the 540 offices for a 2-4 minute follow-up visit this year, I always ask the aide if they had a chance to ask the boss for an opinion of the LEAP position. This week an aide to a Republican (naturally) said he did so at a staff meeting, giving the one minute summary of my 20 minute visit. = (Prohibition is chaos. Crime would decrease by half, no drug dealers, stop funding al-Qaeda, reduce gangs, stop wasting 70 billion and allow LE to focus on child predators, DUI & terrorists.) He said the whole group erupted for 10 minutes in a heated discussion. No one argued with the LEAP premise. Finally, the Congressman said that no matter what, the issue was too hot & drop it. No progress? Hmmmm.

But like my friend Peter Christ said, once you have heard the LEAP message, one can never read or hear about the topic, except thru the prism of the LEAP point of view.

Five Star Service: I attended a seminar/briefing hosted by the American Constitution Society on Friday. In speaking with one of their staff I was invited to write an oped for their blog read by 50,000. As the staffer & I chatted on the way to his meeting in a Senate room, it occurred to me to stop by Senator Webb’s office & say hi.

Webb’s principal judiciary aide was not there but I met his new assistant. I learned that there will be another hearing on the 2.3 million in prison next month. I asked him to consider LEAP speakers for the topic: How the WOD affects the number of people in prison. He said sure.

As I boarded the train, it occurred to me (like a thud = duh) of the KISS principle that I had not employed since my arrival in 2005. It is not enough to inform MOCs of LEAP. I need to give them concrete names & bios of potential witnesses.

Better late than never, LEAP is making up a list by subject area of who would be best to testify before a federal committee. When completed, I will hand deliver a copy of it to all members of the House and Senate judiciary committees.

Make a drug warrior squirm for only 15 dollars: On my birthday I attended the monthly breakfast at the conservative Leadership Institute. Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA) spoke & then had to rush off, as he had breakfast date with President Bush. The moderator allowed for one question. My hand shot up (and as you know I arrive early to grab the closest seat to the speaker) & I was called upon. ‘Congressman, we now have 2.3 million citizens behind bars, more than any country in the world. Is this a tribute to the efficiency of law enforcement and something to be proud of? Or does this situation trouble you?‘

‘Well, it is not something we should necessarily be proud of,’ he replied. He then began to babble about needing more faith-based prison programs to reduce recidivism.

Being only 12 feet away (4 meters), I could see in his face that he felt anguish and was conflicted. That is a start. Small steps.

I know that few of you reading this ever have the chance to confront a drug warrior politician & make them uncomfortable. That night I raised my glass of Crown, thought of you & hoped that the vicarious experience thru me was satisfying.

BTW, You may be asking, why not ask the Congressman a bold, direct question of why he supports the war on drugs in the face of all the negative consequences. This would really make him squirm…The answer is I am following my instincts. The moderator calls upon me almost every breakfast. If I make his guest too uncomfortable, I am sure he will never let me ask a question again.

[Courtesy of LEAP]

Resistance is futile: “I agree we need to end the policy but how can we sell it to the District?”*

These words I heard during two of the seven presentations I gave today. They reflect the constant progress, if glacial speed, I have seen since late 2005.

What do I hear less of? “So, just let kids buy heroin like candy bars?!” “It is working a little bit” “Drug arrests do make a small dent!” “if we just kill every drug dealer” & my all-time favorite heard in several Republican offices, “Do you not believe that the state has an obligation to provide moral guidance? And taking drugs is immoral.”

As I have said, if the aides could vote, the War on Drugs is over today. Aides often do, to a greater or lesser degree, reflect the viewpoint of the MOC.

How does Howard motivate an aide to carry water to the boss? My presentation (now done 600+ times) has changed a bit, a little added, a little subtracted over two years. Below is how I know that the ‘package’ delivered made an impact.

From a staffer this week in response to my thank you note:

“Thank you so much, Howard!

I, too, enjoyed our chat. It was nice to see you again.

I look forward to expressing LEAP’s very compelling arguments to the congressman and look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Best regards,

Robert

P.S. Very nice horse! Also, it’s very cool that you speak Spanish, French and German! Quite impressive indeed…”

Riding a horse across North America and speaking three foreign languages have absolutely nothing to do with drug prohibition. What they provide is a ‘head snap’ and make the cowboy (and the issue) memorable. BTW, my new business card will have my name as Howard ‘Cowboy’ Wooldridge. I am tired of writing it on the back at conferences.

Small steps

Doctors make the worst patients: Now in my 12th year in the struggle to end drug prohibition, I tell beginners to pace themselves, don’t go too fast all the time. ‘It is a marathon, not a 100 yard dash.’

My speed the nearly two years on the Hill? Like a 100 meter dash. LOL. This week I received a message from a LEAP member. It caused a profound reaction. It was the catalyst I needed to take my own advice. I rode Misty twice this week, instead of the usual once. I have slowed down = a bit closer to 40/week. My spirit needs the healing time. Thank you James.

This is my response to his note:

Hello James,

Just finished yet another 1 day conference here in DC. One of presenters came up on break to encourage me to continue the anti-prohibition message.

Earlier another panelist had told me to focus on what could be done in next 5 years. (and not waste time on the broad policy of drug prohibition).

I readily admit that those are the times which try my soul. Later, another VIP in a quiet voice (in private natch) said that my message is vital to be heard.

And I shoulder on. I thank you for the kind and encouraging words. I am a pretty tough hombre but this mentality in DC is a killer to the human spirit.

Off to the 5 - 7 reception. At least the food is usually excellent.

Cowboy

Nine Months Later: The past nine months I have gone to a coffee shop to read my daily dose of bad news and wake up with coffee. Nearly every morning 2-7 sheriff’s deputies sit in the back and chat. This week one finally asked me why cops want to legalize drugs (I always wear The Shirt LOL). The four of us had an excellent 20 minute discussion. Talking cop to cop, one remained unconvinced, while two conceded on ending marijuana prohibition + some changes on hard drugs. No doubt they will relay to their colleagues LEAP reasons. Small steps.

Un sens de rythme est tous: (Timing is everything): On Wednesday I was sitting in my chair out side Senate Hearing Room – Dirksen 226 (Subcommittee on Crime), waiting for the door to open and reading a French book. {I rotate between my 3 foreign languages}. A ‘typical’ tourist family of four approached and stopped next to me. The dad asked, “You are reading the Little Prince?” As I detected a French accent I replied, “Oui, je lis le Petit Prince.” He responded in French. I spent the next five minutes explaining LEAP and our position en français. He and his wife agreed with the LEAP position as we exchanged business cards. It was fun.

It was not fun attending the hearing. America’s top internet detective specializing in child pornography painted a horrendous picture of 600,000 personal computers in the US which have downloaded child porn and child rape videos. A US attorney estimated that law enforcement has the resources this year to investigate and arrest about two percent of them. Everyone asked for more money. No one spoke about re-directing current agents and officers to the problem. The testimony was graphic & I flashed back on the dozen or so child victims of criminal sexual conduct I investigated as a detective. I was upset & angry walking out of the building.

BTW: the hearing had nothing directly to do with prohibition. However, I want to have Senator Biden and Sessions to see me on a regular basis. Sessions left before hearing ended but eventually I will be able to have a 30 second conversation with him after a hearing. I spoke to Biden about two months ago.

Of possible interest: Below is what I send to each staffer after a presentation. As you can see, Repubs receive something quite different then the Dems.

For a Republican Office:

Ms. Showers,

I would like to thank you for your time last week. I enjoyed our chat. I hope Congressman Linder will one day see the wisdom of a drug policy based on the principles of:

Liberty
Personal Responsibility
Limited/Effective Government
States’ Rights

Drug prohibition is a policy which neither Georgia nor the United States can longer afford.

Georgia spending a billion of its general fund money on prisons this year will not help produce a 21st century workforce.

Howard

For a Democratic Office:

Ms. Kapoyos,

I would like to thank you for your time last week. I enjoyed our chat. I hope Congressman Kind will be a leader in making drug issues a medical rather than criminal justice issue.

Drug prohibition is a policy which neither Wisconsin nor the United States can longer afford.

Howard

PS. I speak fluent Spanish, French and German. If I can ever be of service on a volunteer basis to help, just ask.

Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (retired)
Education Specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc)
Washington, DC
Hablo espanol, je parle francais, Deutsch auch

Free Super Bowl Ticket: I was drinking my coffee and reading my daily dose of bad news (newspaper), when a Senate staffer greeted me and asked to join me to wolf down his breakfast. I described my education campaign on why spending ‘free’ fed money to arrest drug dealers was harming state budgets (after the arrest the states must spend hundreds of thousands of tax dollars to lock up the drug dealer for XX years). Bill (not his real name) offered a super bowl ticket analogy. …your best friend gives you a Super Bowl ticket worth 400 dollars & you jump for joy. Wow!! You love football & decide to go. You buy a plane ticket, book a hotel, add in misc. extra monies & suddenly the ‘free’ ticket will cost you 1200 dollars out of your pocket…..

I used this pitch during 7 presentations & urged the staffer to have the boss (MOC) call their governor (as a courtesy) and ask privately if the State can afford to be given ‘free’ federal money. I was very pleased with the reaction (all non-verbal = seen on their faces). Thanks Bill.

Let me tell you why it did not work: Riding the train home, a fellow traveler asked how my campaign was going. I talked about reading a report in the US Army War College that stated that 70% of al Qaeda’s operating budget came from drug trade sources. Suddenly, an Army major plopped down in the seat next to me. He had over heard our conversation and wanted to share his direct experience.

In the next 10 minutes we listened intently as he described how he had in 2006 participated in an eradication (Ausrottung) effort in southern Afghanistan. A long story short…after they paid the tractor drivers to plow under the poppy plants, our troops would go out to the edge of the river flood plain to provide security…the Taliban would come in and pay the drivers more NOT to plow under the poppies. At the end of the 6 weeks campaign almost no poppies had been plowed under.

We exchanged business cards before he hopped off the train. As a doctor, he had a professional curiosity to learn more of the Swiss Treatment Program which I sent him. His actions were symptomatic of how many citizens are with us on this. Almost every time someone engages me on the train or metro subway, a passenger nearby will, on their way out, say how they agree with me and wish me luck.

After I missed the #$%!@ Party of the decade: Just before I was about to join the celebration of the first victory in years (2nd Chance Act) at the Capitol at 5 PM on Wednesday, Aaron Houston (MPP lobbyist) said don’t bother. The room was entirely too small, packed with people and hotter than hell. Chatting on the sidewalk, several other reformers stopped to chat. The chief lobbyist for the ONDCP (Drug Czar) strolled on by without stopping (LOL). I was disappointed not to attend but I took Aaron’s advice.

I called Jodi James the new Big Boss of our Speaker’s Bureau and asked her to email me the details of another event that started in 30 minutes. (I now carry a Blackberry aka Crackberry+ by staffers. Every Staffer has one & several offices have signs above the exit door “Do you have your Blackberry?”)

So yes, you may call me a High-Tech, Red-Neck++ cowboy. LOL

Anyway, I attended a 100 person reception nearby & being bold, had 1 minute conversations with one US Senator & 3 Congressmen. Afterwards, I got all excited at such wonderful turn of events. +++ I called Jodi and thanked her profusely for her initiative and turning the evening into the best & in some ways most productive two hours I have spent in DC. WTG Jodi!! We do have a great team at LEAP.

Apropos important persons…if you know of a VIP (elected state-wide or fed official) who has stated publicly that the WOD is a failure or ineffective, let me know please. If possible, provide the source of the quote. I am putting together a list.

[Courtesy of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition]

You might find this helpful: I met with an aide I had not seen in two years whose boss is very conservative except for the prohibition question. Being a Libertarian, she completely supports LEAP’s mission statement. I gave her all the usual updates & was prepared to leave after about 10 minutes. She pro-offered an approach I might employ with other legislative aides. I tried her idea at the next three offices. It worked. Most of what she suggested I have now permanently adopted.

As I make my second visit to the 540 offices, I am struck and gratified by the increasing numbers of aides who wish me well & offer information and suggestions.

Cowboy Hat = cop who wants to legalize drugs: Two separate times this week a staffer with whom I was sharing an elevator said, ‘I remember the hat. How is the legalize campaign going?’ One I somewhat remembered and the other was a complete blank. I replied that Don Quixote now has 5 votes to legalize/regulate drugs. Just 213 votes to go. Know anyone?…they smiled and wished me well.

Another aide who met me two years ago remarked that she has seen me many times in the cafeteria. As she spots the cowboy hat and me under it, she always thinks of legalizing drugs.

Monthly bill to produce copies to distribute: 40 dollars; monthly cost to ride train to work - $112; Cost to ride the Metro inside DC - $60; having Congressional aides remember my message by simply seeing a cowboy hat – PRICELESS.

[Courtesy of LEAP]

My better half said: Yet another conversation in the hallway starting with my hat, ended in the elevator, crowded with mostly female staffers. Blah, blah, blah (spoken quietly), then raising my voice so all would hear, …."When it comes to drugs, as my wife and better half said; the state, thru its police department, can not stop personal stupidity." There was a murmur, light chuckle, and all smiles as the door opened.

Karen is indeed the author of the phrase, BTW (Ubrigens)

Ask the Governor what she thinks: In meeting with a hard-core drug warrior office from Michigan this week, I employed my new line, ‘can your state afford the free federal money to arrest dealers, when, back home, the state might have to spend 60 million to build a new 500 bed prison to keep them @ 30,000 per year times xx years?’

It was a ‘Kodak’ moment to get the aide to admit that the office had not considered the ‘downstream,’ state costs of the ‘free’ fed money. As I suggested he have the Congressman call Governor Granholm (D-MI) and ask if she had money in her budget to house the extra dealers, he did not dismiss my idea. His facial expressions and other non-verbal language told me that I had punched the idea into his brain. A little Crown that night to celebrate and another small step on this long journey.

PS: I was on the Hill a lot these past two weeks & thus the Stories are late. Congress was in recess and that is the best time to receive extra time with staffers. Apologies.

LEAP on the Hill: Stories from the week of March 21, 2008

Standing on the shoulders of giants: In the hallway en route to lunch at the Longworth cafeteria, I saw four guys coming in the opposite direction. I recognized one as an aide I had spoken to earlier this year. We exchanged a quick, ‘Hey, how is it going?’ as we passed each other, each with no time to stop and chat. (The Hill is the closest I have come to living/working like an ant. Everyone is always busy with something).

Having finished the initial meetings with the 540 offices in the House and Senate (minus the 3% who refused to give me time), I am now in the process of doing it again; either a 3-5 minute update or a new presentation to a new legislative aide. This second meeting is a huge assist in helping me recognize a face, thus the brief ‘how are you’ in the hallway.

Does it make a difference, to be recognized? Five years ago I asked Norma Sapp how she was able to pass a marijuana reform bill thru the Oklahoma Senate. What was her ‘magic’ argument, what brilliant presentation did she make? None of that she replied. After 14 years of being in the halls of the legislature, becoming a person whose information was trusted & knowing all the politicians and their aides…. those were the keys to her success. In short, wear out many pairs of shoes or boots. As Jonathan Livingston Seagull said, “The perfect speed is being there.”

So, if you ever wondered about my methods, why I make all these visits, are they doing any good…I believe it is. I learned from those who have been successful.

[Courtesy of LEAP]

‘Worthless’ information worth a head snap in DC: NOTE: since I began delivering newspapers at the age of 11, I have been a voracious reader. My head is filled with facts I have never used (like knowing algebra). Then one day……

Having lunch in the Senate restaurant, yet another conversation started with ‘nice hat.’ The gentleman and I began my most interesting conversation in nearly two years in DC. He has worked the corridors of power for 39 years and was a consummate pro (like the guy in Thank You for Smoking great movie, BTW {see dialog at bottom}) He was telling me about law enforcement costs for cities & counties, explaining there were a few places that combined the two governments which made the stats a bit fuzzy. “You mean a city like Indianapolis?” I enquired. You could see his eyebrows go up, upon hearing my question. “Exactly like Indianapolis” he replied and then gave a few more examples. Call me crazy but I believe he began to take me more seriously. (NOTE: this is/was reasonable..there are always a few wingnuts in the building {at the FBI Senate oversight hearing there were two women dressed head to toe in pink, holding pink signs, etc.}) He said we might work together. ‘Give me the best example of how your ideas have reduced the costs to county jails and hospitals, while not increasing criminal justice problems.’ he said. “I’ll get right on it.” I replied. We concluded our chat and went our separate ways. I immediately called my friends at DPA (Drug Policy Alliance) & they are in the process of getting me the example.

This guy (& I believe him) regularly meets with actual Senators and Congressmen, not staffers like me. I am excited.

Could be a medium step, here. Cross your fingers, hold your thumbs.

Fortune favors the bold.

Dialog:

Preface: I was arguing against federal money used to hire local cops to arrest local criminals. The lobbyist was being paid to get that extra half billion fed money for local sheriffs’ departments.

Him: ‘What county are you from in Texas?’

Me: ‘Tarrant County’

So you have dual citizenship. Tarrant County and United States Citizen, right?

Right.

Local funds support should support law enforcement, to protect you as a resident of Tarrant County, right?

Right.

And federal funds should support law enforcement to protect you as a US citizen, right?

Right.

So, you should support federal funds going to your local sheriff’s department, right?

Me: “Rrrrrr rrrrr wrong. Fed money should support the FBI which assists local police. Wow. You are good!”

Him: He chuckled and we moved on to other topics.

[Courtesy of LEAP]

AMBUSHED! The following dialog occurred between the Russell Senate Building and the Union train station. The names have NOT been changed to protect the guilty.

Unknown white male about 40: “Nice Boots.”

Howard: “Thank you. All the way from Texas”

Unknown: I have a pair of Stewart’s and I am real happy with them.

Howard: These are Tony Llama & still going strong after 10 years

Unknown: You from Texas?

Howard: Yes sir, Fort Worth, where the West begins.

Unknown: What brings you here?

Howard: I am here to change the world. You?

Unknown: What part of the world you want to change? (notice he did not answer my question)

Howard: end the drug war & drug prohibition..nothing serious, nothing too big.

Unknown: How is it going?

Howard: Blah, blah, blah…..For instance I attended Senator Biden’s hearing last week to end the 100:1 ratio of crack to powder. It was nice but he loves the drug war. He is just doesn’t get it.

Unknown: How would you do it?

Howard: As a starting point for discussion, I would give the 10 illegal drugs the same rules & restrictions as whiskey and cigarettes.

Kevin: Hmmm. I probably should tell you my name is Kevin & I work for Senator Biden out the office of the judiciary committee. (Note: Biden is the chairman of the crime subcommittee)

Howard: (sucking in deep breath, trying to remember if I directly insulted the gentleman from Delaware), Howard Wooldridge from LEAP. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Nice to meet you.

Kevin: I have enjoyed our chat. Your viewpoint is interesting.

Howard: good. Next recess I’ll give you a call and set up a short meeting.

Kevin: okay

Anatomy of a Congressional hearing or how I work one minute a day and get paid: On Wednesday Senator Biden’s Senate subcommittee on crime held a hearing on giving local police a half billion dollars to arrest drug dealers.

I took the usual 7:17 train into DC. I walked to the Dirksen building where the hearing would be held and drank my giant coffee while I read the Washington Times (I read the Post on the train). From 10 to 11:30 I did work I had brought with me + answer a few new emails using my Blackberry. After lunch I got in the line outside of Room 226, promptly at noon. Taking a chair out of a pile in the phone booth, I sat down and worked another 2 hours using my laptop computer. (I expected a packed room. Indeed, a dozen chiefs of police were eventually left standing up or in the hallway.)

When the doors opened just before two, I was the first one in and grabbed the best seat to be seen by the Senators. 4 Senators testified + one guy from the White House, followed by 3 police officers. Every one tooted their horn & how great their agency is, even as they said the sky was falling for the lack of fed money. Senator Chambliss of Georgia said the cut from 12 to 4 million fed dollars would allow gangs to nearly take over the state. Harkins of Iowa said about the same thing, as did Feinstein of California and Feingold of Wisconsin. ‘The sky is falling. The sky is falling’ echoed in the room for two hours. NOTE: I desperately wanted to say that if the situation is so dire, couldn’t the state of Georgia with a 15 billion dollar budget find the missing 8 million, rather than face a state controlled by gangs?

When Senator Biden banged the gavel to end the session, I moved quickly to where he was shaking the hand of the police commissioner of Philadelphia. Waiting politely, we made eye contact, we shook hands and I said, ‘Senator Biden. As a police detective I agree with you that a good 60% of crime is caused by the drug war. You expressed a great desire to reduce crime. Have you ever considered the easiest way to dramatically cut crime would be to end the drug war, this new prohibition?’ “What do you mean?” He asked. I replied, ‘The same as our grandparents did in 1933. End prohibition and make the drugs legal, regulated and taxed. Having a 14 y/o die selling drugs because the policy gives him that job option has to be immoral, don’t you think?’ He blinked. ‘Yes, it is. I gave a speech on that a while back. Give me your card and I will have my office send it to you.’ I handed him my card, saying “thank you.”

Leaving the hearing room, I went straight to his office where I spoke to the receptionist. She said she would double make sure I received the speech. As the train dropped me back off at 7:03 PM, my ‘one minute of real work’ day came to a close. Small steps...

Am I ever off-duty? Tom (an LT in the Frederick PD) and I ride horses out of the same ranch. I did not need to convert him, as we rode together last fall. He simply agreed with all I said. This week while throwing saddles over our horses, I asked if he would be willing to testify in Annapolis for a couple of crime bills. Recently retired, he readily agreed. BTW, the question was rhetorical. I am never off duty.

How to frame the question?: Once a month I rise at 5:15 to have breakfast with 40-60 very conservative folks at the Leadership Institute. I arrive before any other guests to ensure a seat next to the cameraman. He also holds the microphone which is passed around as invitees ask questions. Thus I always get to ask a question.

This week President Bush’s legal counsel and senior advisor Ed Gillespie spoke to us. When you only have one chance, what part of prohibition does one bring up? How to make a statement in the disguise of a question?

‘Mr. Gillespie, as a police officer I know that every hour my federal colleagues, especially the FBI, chase after drug dealers, means they have less time to investigate terrorists like al Qaeda. Why in the century of 9/11 are FBI agents still chasing drug issues, like medical marijuana gardens?

He gave the standard answer; i.e. fighting the war on drugs does not diminish our nation’s ability to effectively fight the war on terror. However afterwards, I had 4 persons come up to me and state they believed I was correct and the President’s senior advisor was wrong. Small steps.

I do my best work.. in the bathroom? (or please pass the paper towels Mr. Will)

Three days this week I attended my third CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference). 6,000 of the most dedicated, conservative citizens in America gather each year at a fancy hotel in DC.

On Thursday I came face to face with George Will (columnist, TV show guest, extremely knowledgeable and influential person) in the bathroom. We both reached for paper towels. The container was empty. “Mr. Will.” I said I realized who he was. Pausing for only a second, I continued, “I write you every three months, asking you to take a position either in favor or against the war on drugs.” I waited a few seconds. No reply. As we left, I told him I enjoyed all his opeds. Later that evening, I came face to face with Tom DeLay. He was the House Majority Leader for many years. I maneuvered my way to open the exit door just before he did. I paused for a couple of seconds to make sure he could read the “COPS SAY LEGALIZE DRUGS” on my t-shirt. If I can not persuade, I settle for irritate. Think of me as poison ivy. LOL

And the winner is: My colleague Bill Piper of Drug Policy Alliance gave me the scoop on why/how the Congress cut big money to the local drug task force groups. It was President Bush who pushed hard and won major cuts in the Byrne Program. Thank you Mr. Bush.

Leap on the Hill

From Master to Howard (the grasshopper): A staffer sat next to me at a large table in the Senate restaurant and somehow we engaged in conversation. The conversation turned to the budget deficit swelling in 2009 (as proposed by Bush to rise to about 400 billion). That number in light of the push in Congress by the police lobby for an emergency appropriation of 1/3 of a billion to arrest local drug dealers (Byrne Grant). The wise staffer helped me to understand the Congress saying, “The longer you stay here, the less sense it makes.” Ah soooo.* Now I understand????

Hope was crushed by politics: The ‘other’ paper in DC this week, the Washington Times published a report that Senator Obama was ready to change simple marijuana possession a non-criminal act (civil infraction), i.e. no jail time possible. As some in reform were about to get excited, his campaign said his 2004 statement in no longer his position. Shucks.**

Nonetheless, I have prepared a short memo on the topic. Acting on advice from an experienced colleague in marijuana prohibition, I will wait a month and then drop it off to Obama’s aid that I met last fall.

I do my best work at night: A good friend and lobbyist in Trenton, New Jersey threw a party this week in DC and invited Karen and me. At one of the nicest steak houses in town I broke bread with several state senators and a House Delegate (who was a just-retired police officer). Bob had me meet a man who after learning of LEAP, hustled*** me over to his friend, the Chief of Staff of one of the most powerful men in NJ House. Three minutes later he said I must spend some time with his VIP boss, to describe LEAP, its mission and its resources. Karen spoke at length about LEAP to the retired cop turned politician. Besides the fabulous food and drink, much was accomplished. Though it was a ‘school night’ (Thursday), Karen was a valuable ally for LEAP. BTW, she was NOT wearing her now famous t-shirt, rather business clothes befitting a CPA. LOL

[Courtesy of LEAP's Howard Wooldridge]

LEAP on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 25, 2008

It’s not what you know:

Howard walking down the hall in the Cannon House Building…’Afternoon Congresswoman Schmidt. How are things in Ohio?’ She replied, ‘Things are great, thanks.’ And the two ships passed in the night.

Not that I recognize every MOC (Member of Congress) by a long shot, however, it is a project.

Asking for some help: When you read an article in 2008 which touches upon your legislature, city or county needing to make tough decisions about what programs to cut or they are increasing taxes to pay for current polices, please send me a copy of it. This can take the form of a URL on the paper’s webpage, US mail or fax. The fed politicians are sensitive to what is happening in their districts. I will put the article in their hands. Thanks.

Git r dun:*

This week I was able to drop off nine letters you wrote to your MOCs. Thank you. Asking for the aide I had already met, I was able to have three good, follow-up conversations. This is exactly what I was hoping for…a 3-5 minute conversation with staffers. I asked for this at a bad time last year…between Thanksgiving & Christmas. If you have a minute, please email a copy of what I wrote below (feel free to add or subtract, as long the message does not go over one page), inserting the correct MOC’s name and I will print if off and hand deliver.. Thanks.

Use ‘Script’ or ‘Script MT Bold’ on your signature and just email it. Several already have and it looks fine.

Your name
Address
Email address
Phone number

Dear Senator XXX,

I am a member of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) and believe that our War on Drugs has been a disaster for both the country and its citizens. Recently, one of your aides met Howard Wooldridge, a retired police detective who represents LEAP on Capitol Hill.

In the century of 9/11 and limited resources it is irresponsible to waste precious police resources on people who would be best served by the medical community. After 37 years of effort and the police spending a trillion tax dollars, the situation is worse! Drugs are cheaper, stronger and much easier to buy. Moreover, drug prohibition has been the most dysfunctional, immoral policy since slavery.

I hope we can agree that it past time to become SMART on drugs. I also hope you could meet for a few minutes with Howard Wooldridge who can articulate my position.

Sincerely,

Your name here

Howard can be reached at: Wooldridge@leap.cc