Wooldridge's Washington Weekly Report

Unfortunately, it appears this will be the last one until September so I'm going to reprint it in full. It speaks for itself

Conundrum of the Week:

Over the weekend I attended the annual CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) convention at a DC hotel. Wearing SOP LEAP attire (dress pants, dress shirt, tie + LEAP t-shirt over dress shirt) and with my personal added touch of huge cowboy hat and large buckle, let us just say I was noticed. I engaged in many conversations. When accused of being a liberal I would reply, “Oh no. On this issue I am the conservative. I believe in Liberty, Privacy Rights and Personal Responsibility.” Almost everyone came back (as an accusation) “You are not a conservative. You are a Libertarian.” My response: so, you being a conservative, what do you believe OTHER THAN liberty, privacy rights and personal responsibility? That question had them tripping on their own words & beliefs. It was fun.

I spent the week in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rob Ryan and crew had me hopping almost 24/7. I met with about a dozen state reps, senators and candidates for Congress. Besides the 1 minute, condensed Rotary speech, I offered each of them personal training on how to articulate any policy of drug reform which they supported already or might in the future. I attended a 600 person, one day conference of the leaders of Cincinnati. I was very impressed with the number of African –Americans who expressed SUPPORT for the LEAP position. The most memorable part of the trip was having a WB network reporter and camera man follow me down the sidewalk of the Over the Rhine area of Cincinnati. OTR was the scene of rioting a few years back. My cowboy hat and shirt attracted enough attention to generate a half dozen good conversations which the TV station later made into 2 long (almost 3 minute) reports.

On the other hand:

I just received notice that effective 15 February I will be coordinating a national publicity campaign directed at bringing information and pressure to stop the daily, unarmed invasion of illegals who pour across our borders. This full-time, temporary position will last until about 15 September 2006.

Therefore, with a heavy sigh and heart, I must drastically curtail my activities on behalf of LEAP here in DC. I will still be an active LEAP Board member and will attend any appropriate conferences in the DC area. I will fulfill previous commitments to a tour of MI, OH and St. Louis in late March and April. I will cease my education efforts on Capitol Hill effective tomorrow.

I have known about this potential position for several months. I know LEAP has tried hard during that time to find funding for my DC efforts, unfortunately w/o any success. As most of you know, my small police pension does not kick in until I turn 59. I have to work for money at least another 6 years before I can work for free.

I will resume this newsletter in late September. The money earned from this temporary position will allow me to stay in DC thru at least June of 2007. I won’t be shy. If you know anyone who believes my educational efforts on behalf of LEAP are valuable, pledges of financial support starting in September will put me back on track. I need 3,000 a month which will cover a modest existence for me and carrots for Misty.

I can't think of a worthier cause. Howard is a hell of an educator.