LEAP on the Hill -- Stories from the week of February 22, 2008 Almost déjà vu: In September 1978 I put on my police uniform for the first time. The last thing I did was put the six 357 caliber bullets in my revolver. I still vividly* remember putting each one carefully in the cylinder. The responsibility that comes with such power was extraordinary. I am grateful that I never fired a shot in anger. This week I ‘loaded’ my briefcase for my days on the Hill. I made sure I had all the documents, brochures, business cards, MOC lists, etc. I had to be ready for any eventuality** to move our issue forward. The stakes***are as important as going on police patrol. Drug prohibition results in the needless death of tens of thousands each year. ­Hollywood, here I come!: On Monday I was invited to participate in a one hour TV show which dealt with the topic of Justice in America as it relates to our massive numbers of citizens in prison. I was joined by a rep of the Brookings Institute and victim’s rights advocate.**** I helped turn the discussion to the reason so many are behind bars; namely our drug prohibition. If you have 47 minutes: go to: http://www.presstv.com. Click on ‘Programs’ located on the left side of the homepage near the top. Click on "American Dream." Click on 21 February: Human Rights in the US. Or click on: http://www.presstv.com/prg_detail.aspx?SectionID=3510502 Always ready & thinking ahead: Once I leave the train, I switch mental gears, much as I did whenever I put on my police uniform. My tie has to be straight and tight to the neck. In DC ‘everyone’ dresses well because they must be ready if someone shoves a camera in their face. When I am walking in the hall, my briefcase is always in my left hand. Why? Because my right hand must be free to touch the brim of my hat, when I pass a woman I recognize or even a stranger. (call me sexist but women love that). I eat my pizza in the cafeteria with my left hand in case I need to shake a hand. A clear & present danger (also opportunity) is talking to someone & you don’t know how important they are. I have learned to control my impulse to speak too much and too candidly.*****All this is part of my learning curve.