We are not in Kansas anymore: One ritual I quickly picked up on in DC is the effusive praise that people give each other, especially politicians. It all seemed pretty over-the-top to me. Until this week, I never did it.

At the Leadership Institute’s monthly breakfast, Republican Congressman and minority whip (2nd most powerful position) Roy Blunt addressed us and mostly spoke of the bailout. I was able to ask a question. Before I asked it, I thanked him for his many, recent 18 hour days and hard work to find a solution to the economic mess. I then asked him how hard Ronald Reagan was rolling over in his grave, as Republicans voted to nationalize our banking system.

As I have said earlier, often it is important to stay on topic, in order to be called upon later.

Still Frosty’s little brother: Attending a conservative conference today, I was able to address about 150 in a breakout session. Wearing standard LEAP attire at such events (dress slacks, dress shirt and LEAP T-shirt), they all got a good look at the message (I have the ‘legalize drugs’ message also on the front). During the two days, I was able to have nearly 2,000 attendees at least be exposed to the idea, at least via the shirt. I chatted with a good 50.

Oh yeah, after the session was over, 6-8 people came up and asked if I were related to Frosty Wooldridge. He is quite famous with conservatives on another issue. Yes, I replied, I am his little brother.

“I did not know.” I had a 75 minute presentation & chat with my state of Maryland House Delegate. She said she voted against a bill in Annapolis this year to reduce mandatory minimums for small-time crack cocaine dealers. I explained how the amount of crack they were talking about was like me buying a 12 pack of beer. I could have 1-2 friends drink the 12 beers with me or I might drink the whole pack myself. ‘I wish I had had someone explain it to me like that before I voted.’ She responded. There is always work for an education specialist.

Train the educator: Thanks to our new Media Director, Tom Angell, I learned that George Washington University was putting on a two hour seminar on How To Communicate with Congress. I went. Suffice to say, I learned lots. Thanks Tom.

As the headlines scream of America heading back to the Depression of the 1930s, we in reform know that the lack of money to conduct the prohibition policy/war on drugs will help move legislation. The more people suffer economically, the faster we end prohibition. This is part of the use of the German word Schadenfreude. It is bitter sweet. That tens of millions of citizens have suffered being a crime victim due to prohibition or from being arrested for drug crimes has not been enough. How sad.

I wrote to Ethan Nadelman of the Drug Policy Alliance and suggested his organization write to the 50 state budget finance directors about how expensive the prohibition approach is. In 2009 I will increase the % of my presentations dealing with the tens of billions wasted every year.

Every three months: The Open Society Institute under the direction of Nkechi Taifa brings about 50 dedicated professionals together four times a year. Representing close to 50 organizations, we share info and network to change social policy in the USA. Much is accomplished in 90 minutes. At this meeting I showed Tom Angell, LEAP’s new media director, the front page foto and article (at bottom of this letter). I let him know that LEAP expects front page headlines every week!

Glad CATO chose Peter Christ to speak: On Thursday I attended a CATO (www.cato.org) event regarding the problems of no-knock SWAT raids on American homes. We listened to the sad story of small town mayor Cheye Calvo whose two black lab dogs were shot dead by police at the beginning of a drug raid on his house. 10 days later the police admitted that the mayor was 0.0 guilty of anything. Expert Radley Balko gave us a history of the use of no-knock, dynamic (violent) entry into homes. Last to speak was retired police captain and one of LEAP’s Founding Five, Peter Christ. The CATO had also considered having me speak but chose Peter instead. So glad they did.

Starting slowly and then building and pulling the audience to him, Peter was able to bring immense, emotional power to his speech. He touched me and I am certain all the rest.

“Bottom line? I am asking you to leave.” This week began with such promise. I was representing LEAP at the NAPOA (National Asian Police Officers Association) conference in metro DC by staffing the booth for four days. Monday was good, though the DEA agent gave me the evil eye, when I visited his booth. Tuesday started well, chatting with a table full of cops at breakfast, one of whom took my role of convincing his brothers to support LEAP. Thus, I was resting my voice,…..

Finishing my third cup of coffee and about to head to the booth, when NAPOA President Reagan Fong asked to speak to me in private. We went into a room and he closed the door. This can’t be good I thought. Two minutes later the obviously conflicted and anguished Fong needed a nudge. I asked him what the bottom line was. Explaining that several of the federal agents staffing their booths objected to the LEAP message and my presence, he was honoring their wish that I leave immediately. We shook hands and 90 minutes later, I headed home.

Analysis: What a gift from the feds! Not only did everyone become exposed to the LEAP message before I left, I let several attendees know what had happened. The NCIS (Naval Criminal Intelligence Service) agent I chatted with as I broke down the display was openly annoyed with me being asked to leave. Thus, by now, everyone knows what happened. Given the controversy, I am sure the attendees will take what happened back to their 23 local orgs (organizations) & retell the story. All of this is a plus for LEAP. The press release from LEAP has already hit a couple of good blogs and ezines.

From Gandhi: First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. We are at stage three. Only one more to go.

Same old, same old: Last week I was on the Senate side of the Hill and met with a good number of staffers. Instead of five minutes of follow-up, they all engaged me for a solid 30 minutes or more. This was a repeat of the week before and the week before that. I write this to remind myself that my mission is moving inexorably in the direction I want it to go. And it feels great!

I would like 3-5 minutes of your time: The past 5 months I have been making my second round of meetings with House staffers. Usually we met for the first time 1-2 years ago. Since they do not need a whole presentation, I just ask for a few minutes to give them some updates and renew our relationship. Many dozens of times they have engaged me in conversation and the ‘3-5 minute’ meetings turn into 20-25 minutes.

As much as the ‘universe’ conspired to help Misty and me cross North America, now it seems the universe is conspiring to help me succeed in Washington.

Even as ‘everyone’ tells me I have lifetime employment on this issue, I am thoroughly encouraged by the significant, positive attitude of staffers. If, IF this damn prohibition lasts another ten years, these staffers often go home to become a state rep or state senator. The LEAP message has become and will remain a part of their overall understanding of drug control strategy.

Here is a note from just such a staffer:

Mornin Officer Wooldridge,

It was great meeting you as well. After we met I went to dinner with a guy who is a City of Chicago police officer, and I raised some of the issues that we talked about. Anyways I was surprised to find out that he shared your feelings. Unfortunately, I’m not the one with the vote, but we can take baby steps and steer our nation’s drug policy in the right direction.

Indeed ‘small steps’ are taken everyday, often unseen/unknown by me.

Help Send Howard back to Texas: As you know, I am working hard to eliminate the need for LEAP. To that end I would like your help. Via Jerry Epstein in Texas idea, I want to begin dropping off to Member of Congress offices articles that appear in local papers that touch the issue. Please send me either electronically or cut out the article and send to me (I will play mailman). Articles should include anything that shows the financial or emotional burdens, police misconduct (drug raid on wrong house, corruption, etc) or really anything which shows that modern prohibition is the most dysfunctional, immoral policy since slavery. When in doubt, send it please.

The concept is simple. Make sure the politicians know what their constituents are reading. It is also a great excuse to drop by the office. Staffers (even those I never met) remember the hat, my business card is attached to the article and so on and so on.

PS. For you bean counters I have made about 700 presentations since the fall of 2005.

How do we get out of here?: Ending my Thursday in the Rayburn House Office Building, I saw a family of four obviously lost. “Where would you like to go?” I asked. “We want to go to the Capitol South Metro station” the wife responded. “You are in luck. I am going that way. Follow me.” I offered.

The woman & I had a running conversation, as we went thru the basement passageways of the three buildings (Note: these corridors, elevators and escalators are confusing). A minute or so later she asked what I did. I responded, “You might believe that because I wear the Gucci cowboy hat, Gucci cowboy boots and the Gucci belt buckle that I am that four letter word -- lobbyist. However, I am not - rather I advocate an end to the War on Drugs/Modern Prohibition. “You mean legalize just marijuana, right?” she asked. “No, all of them.”

The next five minutes we = the couple and I (their 15 year old son and 10 year old daughter were listening) had a robust discussion. The first two minutes were tough with the usual resistance to hard drugs being regulated by the government. Then the dad asked, “Would legalizing them take away some of the glamour of being illegal, so use would not necessarily go up?” From that moment until I gave them my card and we separated at the Metro, the product nearly sold itself. Having sold several quarts of snake oil that day and many this week, it was a satisfying end to a good week.

I will talk to the Congressman about your ideas: Meeting with the aide from a very conservative, Republican, Southern state, he started out with a serious poker face. He broke a small grin, when I asked him to stop giving the police money to wage the drug war. 25 minutes later, we were having a lively chat. Upon leaving, he thanked me for the new concept, new perspective on this issue and promised to brief the Congressman.

Note: These conversations which I have all the time with both tourists and staffers reconfirm my experience that support for prohibition is a mile wide and an inch deep, no matter what one’s world view is on other issues.

“I’m just a city slicker with a cowboy hat.” In the fall of 2003 Joan Covici of Dallas invited me to lunch, wanting to hear stories of riding Misty across North America. She then asked about my future plans. I told her of one day, going to Washington, DC and become a lobbyist but I expressed doubts if I would be effective. “I’m just a city slicker with a cowboy hat.”

“Stop right there.” She commanded. “First, you can not ride a horse across a continent and still claim to be a city slicker. Second, your self-deprecation will limit yourself self-esteem and you will set goals that are too low. You are a powerful individual and can move this issue at any level.” Resistance to this sage analysis was, futile. The words of this wise woman generated a lot of thought and it did not take me long to adopt them.

“It’s just a high sidewalk in the sky Misty. No problem for you girl.” The 1928 tall bridge crossing of the Mississippi at Cape Girardeau on our journey across North America coincided with reaching the 1000 mile (1600 KM) mark to become a Long Rider. What a day!

This past Wednesday I felt the same ‘now I can do/handle anything’ feeling. I spoke for (the maximum) three minutes (text below) to 130 conservative, VIPs at the Center Right Coalition brunch. Suffice to say, I recognized 4-5 persons I had seen on TV. There were five candidates for Congress, etc. A dozen or so attendees thanked me for having the courage to oppose modern prohibition. Later I learned that my inviter, Grover Norquist, was pleased with my presentation. That night Mr. Norquist invited me and 300 of his closest friends to a private screening of the film‘Swing Vote.’ I met another Bush, political appointee who will return to a private think tank come January (and support the LEAP position, BTW).

After 4 months in Austin, Texas, after two years in DC, after 700 presentations to Hill staffers, many hundreds of chats with all sorts of folks & with the help, support and advice of many colleagues in reform, I am no longer a Rookie, rather a Journeyman. We are moving this policy into the history books. Thank you Joan for helping me set my sights higher.

BTW, Conservative MOCs are worth their weight in gold: In chatting with an aide of the House Judiciary Committee this week, I confirmed that focusing on and bringing Republicans & conservatives into the LEAP boat more valuable than a Dem(Democrat). The Rs (Republicans) will always hold the high ground on crime & drug issues in US.

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WAR on DRUGS! Modern Prohibition! How is that working for us in America? This liberal policy which uses the threat of government punishment, backed with govt police, prosecutors and prisons..... Is it reducing our crime?......is it reducing rates of death and disease? Is it keeping drugs and drug dealers away from our kids? Is this modern prohibition consistent with the ideals of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? NO!! Our children live in a world awash in drugs and drug dealers. Is it time for a robust discussion? I challenge you to state one sensible, cogent reason to continue this policy.

Post Prohibition: Envision an America where there are no teen drug dealers on sidewalks selling drugs, shooting each other and destroying neighborhoods. Imagine a world where all drugs are sold in a state-regulated store by a clerk making 12 dollars an hour. See a world where al Qaeda and other terrorists groups do not make billions guarding the drug trade and selling drugs. Think of an America where crime is reduced by half which allows the police to focus on the deadly DUI, the child predator and other public safety threats. Envision the positive outcomes of redirecting the 70 billion tax dollars currently spent chasing non-violent drug users & their suppliers. See a world where, if one day you or a loved has a drug problem, you see a doctor not a judge. This world is possible when we find the courage to end the Modern Prohibition.

As a police officer, I spent 18 years in the trenches of the drug war in the 70s, 80s and 90s. I always believed that the policy was dysfunctional and ultimately immoral. Drug policy should be centered on these 5 conservative principles:

Individual Liberty: an adult should be free to be as stupid as they wish to be in the privacy of their own little castle.

Personal Responsibility: If an adult makes a bad choice, suck it up.

Limited Government: Sending government agents, AKA police officers into your home to arrest you for a consensual act is NOT consistent with limited govt intrusion into your life.

Effective Government: After a trillion tax dollars spent, drugs are cheaper, stronger and readily available to our kids. This has been a Bridge To Nowhere policy.

States Rights: Like alcohol & gambling, all drugs should be a matter for the states to decide. I ask you to join the spirits of William F. Buckley and Milton Friedman. Help LEAP end this disastrous modern prohibition.

Soirée in the Land of Enchantment: Karen and I flew to Santa Fe, New Mexico on the 9th at the invitation of Sallie Bingham. Good food and conversation flowed for 3 hours as like-minded citizens met to share stories and support the Drug Policy Alliance. (http://www.drugpolicy.org/homepage.cfm) Misty donated about 14 books to anyone who contributed. Her hoof print signature graced the inside cover.

Karen and I enjoyed 2 and one half days traveling by car in New Mexico. We enjoyed the magnificent landscape as we played tourist and scouted possible retirement locations. Me retire??!! Yikes!!

Booked: I am scheduled to make a presentation to ‘by invitation only’ group of VIP conservatives this July 30th. Grover Norquist, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Reform (www.atr.org) made the arrangements. I am excited.

Howard – radio host: My brother Frosty has a twice weekly, one hour radio program. As he went on vacation, he asked me to host it on the 8th. I had two guests, Richard Mack and Paul Armentano. LEAP speaker Sheriff Mack spoke passionately of his opposition to policy & specific problems it causes in Arizona. NORML deputy director Paul Armentano educated the audience on the practical uses of medicinal cannabis.

I have been interviewed over 100 times by radio. It is fun. However, it is definitely a separate skill to be the interviewer. It is work.

Concerned Senator: Jim Webb (D-VA): Bob in Colorado sent me the link to Senator Webb’s remarks, as Webb opened the 2nd Senate hearing on Mass Incarceration. The link follows: http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/540/congress_joint_economic_committe.... Senator Webb is the first MOC to call for hearings on our issue, EVER.

Boy Scout motto: be prepared: Upon my arrival in DC, my mentor Eric Sterling advised me to always be ‘camera ready.’ In this town one never knows where or when a camera will shine on you or you meet a VIP unexpectedly. Thus I was in coat and tie on Wednesday evening at the Heritage Foundation event, though half the 100 gathered were w/o coat and tie. I engaged in conversation a person who had asked a question during the Q& A session. An hour later we exchanged business cards & a commitment to go to a shooting range and target practice (pistols). He was a fellow Texan and an advisor to President Bush. Thanks Eric.

Note: before the program began, I was chatting with a retired oil executive. Upon learning I had been in Egypt, he asked, “Enta tatkallem Arabi?” I whipped off two decent sentences in Arabic. He wants me to speak to his Republican Club in Virginia. It was fun. Like riding Misty, speaking foreign languages is fun, a pleasant diversion and helps me from burning out.

Too hot to handle: Every first Wednesday of the month I have breakfast at the Leadership Institute which features prominent conservative speakers. Mass transit failed me & I arrived late to a packed room of 100. Nonetheless, the speaker, Grover Nordquist (author of Leave Us Alone) noted conservative thinker called on the ‘guy with the good looking hat.’

‘Reference leave us alone, some 30 million people would like the government to leave them alone, the most famous of whom is Mr. Willie Nelson who smokes marijuana on his back porch. I am referring of course to people who use drugs other than alcohol, tobacco, Prozac and valium. Why do so many conservatives support the War on Drugs/Modern Prohibition which is a liberal policy? When will conservatives wake up and reject this nanny-state liberal policy of sending police into private homes to arrest otherwise law-abiding citizens?’ I asked.

The speaker paused and replied something like, ‘That is a good question and reminds of the Gordian knot. Can we talk after the program?’ Me thinks the lad did not want to reduce his book sales by answering the question. We DID chat afterwards for 15 minutes. He has invited me to speak to his weekly, conservative round-table group. This guy has influence. This is a medium step on the road to ending modern prohibition. I am thrilled.

PS: Two days later Karen & I attended the group’s 4th of July barbecue & picnic. We spent all afternoon answering the question, “Why do moms and cops want to legalize drugs?” Besides being my better half and wife, Karen has become an articulate member of the anti-prohibition movement.

We need more Members of Congress (MOC) like this one: I was on the Hill every working day this week, taking advantage of the recess to pack in 25 visits & drop off current materials to 50 offices I had recently been to. One office was especially refreshing in the unique slogan that guides the office’s decisions. Congressman and Doctor Paul Broun uses these criteria to make decisions:

Is it Moral/Right?
Is it Constitutional?
Is it necessary?
Is it affordable?

What a breath of fresh air! What a philosophy!

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.