By Brandon Lewis –
I love meeting new people and catching up with old friends. It’s part of my DNA.
I am a social animal to the core.
When the lockdowns and the medical discrimination started, I took it harder than most. In fact, I took it as a personal affront to my freedom and dignity.
Almost like a physical, mental and spiritual punch in the gut.
My visceral reaction to the tyranny and bullying from our state and local government is what spurred me into action initially. It’s what led me to launch the Tennessee Conservative.
In my way of thinking, any Republican who participated in that shameful fiasco has no right to be frustrated with our reporting – we are simply presenting their voting and governing records to Conservatives in Tennessee plainly.
They have no right for one reason: They made me.
They gave birth to the Tennessee Conservative.
Their lack of regard for individual rights caused me to get into media. MEDIA! Of all things. I am a reporter for Pete’s sake. A REPORTER! A talking head.
How bad do things have to get for a Conservative business owner to become a member of the media?
Pretty bad.
Conservatives all over the state who understood that their liberties came from God and the Constitution, not Bill Lee’s desk, were dumbfounded that the leftist state media would not present things fairly. Would not even report the other side of the story.
Conservatives were confounded further by the fact that their misery was made possible by their own political party leadership – or lack thereof, to be more precise.
We know now that all the vocational discrimination, shaming and mask badgering did virtually nothing.
Except ruin the economy and the mental health of Tennesseans.
Yet, for some perplexing reason, our leaders thought it would help. The best and brightest, elected to serve the public.
I never did. Chances are you never did either.
I saw it for what it was. The love of power, tribalism and a cultural psychosis.
Too bad they did not consult us. We could have avoided all this fallout.
Nevertheless, here we are… living through a reality we did not want that could have been easily prevented.
Back to seeing people in person…I was the only person in my industry to have an in-person conference in 2021. The only one.
I’m talking about my paying job as a consultant to the multi-billion-dollar painting and coatings industry, not my non-paying job here at the Tennessee Conservative.
Why? Seeing people in person is important. Shaking hands, giving hugs and talking kneecap to kneecap is important. It cannot be duplicated through the written word, audio or video.
Every other form of communication is a pale imitation.
That’s why I’m excited to tell you that we are hosting our 2nd Annual Tennessee Freedom Summit in Nashville, TN on August 19th and 20th!
I would recommend you get the details by clicking here and book your tickets quickly.
Why? Well, for starters, the room only holds about 250 people. I did not want to overextend myself.
Last year, we had over 100 people attend – and we’ve at least quadrupled our subscriber base and social media following since then.
I assume tickets will sell out quickly by doing the math, but who knows.
Now, we are still adding speakers. I will likely tweak the agenda a tad between now and then. So, it will only get better from here.
It is my sincere hope that you will attend so I can see you in person.
The purpose of this event is simple: I want to bring everyone together in the state who cares deeply about Conservative government at the state and local level.
I want to HEAR from people who are TAKING ACTION to make our state better. The real workers. The people who are in the know.
This is not an event where an out-of-town blowhard breezes in, whips the crowd into a frenzy and then moves on to the next paid gig.
You can find that event happening almost weekly in our state. There are no shortage of them.
No.
This is an event for Conservative organizational leaders, candidates, members of the media and grassroots activists.
Conservatives who are tired of having a Republican super-majority that can’t tackle issues like illegal immigration, school choice, corrupt lobbying practices, election reform, social media censorship, PAC welfare, etc.
This is an event for getting to the bottom of why corporatism seems to win every battle when it’s up against Conservatism.
Now hear this: General admission tickets are only $147.
A pittance.
By the time we feed people two meals, give drink tickets, rent the space, advertise the event, run audio visual and all the rest, there isn’t much left. Nashville is centrally located, but it is also expensive.
The tickets basically just cover the costs.
So, if you would consider being a Patron or a Host to help us keep the expenses down, we would appreciate it greatly.
And, you would be doing a remarkable service for Conservative media in the state.
I’m thanking you sincerely in advance for those who WILL become Patrons and Sponsors.
You are the glue that holds this leaky old ship together. THANK YOU!
Click here to get the best seats while they are available.
I can’t wait to see you!
Sylvia’s Baptism…
Last week, during the time that I typically write this, I was occupied.
That’s why you did not hear from me.
What was I up to?
Well, only the most important job I have on earth as a father.
In the chilly waters of the Tennessee River, blanketed by thin clouds with the occasional shaft of sunlight beaming down.
Step by Step, I carried Sylvia…
She was alight with the Spirit of God.
On that day, with Pastor Kenny, I baptized my oldest.
She smiled broadly. I wept for joy.
Sylvia’s faith, which she no doubt gets from the unwavering example of her mother, comes naturally.
By naturally, I do not mean superficial or shallow.
She is a little ambassador for the kingdom of God.
She is both knowledgeable about the Word and connected in a way that I never was at that age.
My faith has always been more conflicted and rocky. I am no choir boy. I have deep-rooted struggles.
Perhaps it is because I know my faults are so deep that I marvel at God’s grace all the more.
Knowing how essential that saving Grace is, Sylvia’s baptism was a welcome relief.
I know full well we are not done with this journey. In fact, we have only begun.
However, it is a huge milestone. It was a moment I will never, ever forget.
Nor will she.
Weekend Plans
I was going to Dollywood. As of this morning, my plans have been dashed.
Ruby Dooby, my youngest, is a tad under the weather. Not terrible, and certainly not enough to quell her rambunctious spirit, but enough to where I’m going to stay home with her while my wife goes to watch our nieces – who I will miss seeing.
That’s fine with me.
There has been too much “going” and too many “agendas” for me lately.
I want to sit my little bottom at home and maybe find something to tinker with.
I may go, if she is feeling better tomorrow, “loafing” as my father used to say.
However, if two people loafer together, I think that is a worthy activity.
It’s no Dollywood, but it will do.
I hope you and your family have a great weekend.
Talk to you later…
Brandon Lewis, Founder of The Tennessee Conservative
