By Coleen McCool

“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.

Center Right Coalition brunch Speech

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. - Howard Wooldridge

Colleen Minter McCool
McCool Portraits and Graphic Design
http://mccoolportraits.com/index.htm

Colleen McCool is a portrait artist, poet and peace activist.
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