LEAP on the Hill: Stories from Week of December 12, 2008

Winter Marketing: During the winter I wear a windbreaker over my sport coat for two reasons; one, I can put it in my briefcase while I spend all day in Congress 2) on the back it says: THIS COP SAYS STOP THE DRUG WAR. (This slogan was the one I used just before inventing –COPS SAY LEGALIZE DRUGS - ask me why) I had just left the train at Union Station, when a gentleman tapped me on the shoulder. “I know who you are and have read your stuff on line. I really appreciate what you do and good luck,” he said. He shook my hand & took off into the crowd. Thanks Frosty for letting me do guest opeds in your place at www.freedomphoenix.com. Snake Oil is selling well: Meeting with 13 Senate staffers the last 3 days, I was struck at how both the Dems and Repubs nodded their heads (or other body language) at the LEAP message. Starting my third year last month, I am gratified that the (first year) regularly-occurring, antagonistic, at times nearly aggressive resistance to creating a post-prohibition world has become quite rare. At the legislative aide level the vast majority comprehends and agrees with the simple premise that America will enjoy a significant reduction in crime, violence and gangs, when we end prohibition. Now, if a few brave members of Congress will just drop the bill to end prohibition, the discussion can begin. How do you do it? I rode the same elevator to the Senate restaurant with a staffer that I presented to a year ago. He mentioned seeing me ‘all the time.’ He asked me how I could come back day after day and deliver the same presentation, knowing it might be years before an MOC (Member of Congress) writes a bill to end prohibition. “As a street cop, I wrote thousands and thousands of tickets for red light violation at one particularly deadly intersection. Eventually we stopped having fatals.” I replied. “This task is no different.” He shook his head as we parted ways.