[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.