In our blog, read about the political and cultural issues affecting Tennesseans written from a conservative perspective. Commentaries are typically written by David Fowler, an attorney who served in the Tennessee state Senate for 12 years before joining FACT as President.
Good or Bad—A Tennessee County Promotes “Judeo-Christian Values”?
Nov 4, 2022 by David Fowler
The Sumner County (Tennessee) Commission recently voted 20 to 4 in favor of adding a preamble to its Standing Rules and Procedures stating an intent that the operation of its government be “reflective of the Judeo-Christian values inherent...
Why Has Active Christian Political Engagement Produced So Little Good?
Oct 27, 2022 by David Fowler
On July 3, 1995, as a first-term state Senator, I gave a speech to the Downtown Chattanooga Rotary Club, one for which I would now be excoriated. The speech became a front-page, above-the-fold headline story. But there is one major thing I did not th...
Final Thoughts on Amendment 1 and the Right to Work
Oct 20, 2022 by David Fowler
Thinking through and watching the debate over Amendment 1 to Tennessee’s Constitution, the so-called “Right to Work” amendment, has been a painful experience for me for two reasons. Today I share why in order that those who want to ...
Is “Statesman” an Extinct Category in Our Day?
Sep 1, 2022 by David Fowler
Can you think of a person over the last 30 years you would consider a statesman? I would like to think I was one during my 12 years in the Tennessee Senate, but alas, something I read the other day made me realize I did not come close. See if you wou...
Is the Indictment of Glen Casada a ‘Severe Mercy’?
Aug 26, 2022 by David Fowler
The indictment of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada is painful to me because he has been a friend for two decades and was a legislative colleague. Were Glen not a public figure, I might say nothing, but he is not. For the following reasons, ...
Will Christians Acquiesce to Heresy and Teach It to their Children?
Aug 11, 2022 by David Fowler
This week a prominent private school in Nashville for girls grades 5 through 12 announced a new gender policy: “Any student who identifies as a girl may apply to our school.” Given the prestige of the school, no one should treat ligh...
What to Make of Winning Candidates Who Have Lied and the PAC’s That Support Them
Aug 5, 2022 by David Fowler
Political campaigns have always been marked by what I will call “sharp practices,” but over the last four years, the degree of maliciousness and amount of flat out lying by people I once respected seems to have reached a new level. In rec...
What Bad Politicking Tells Us About the Politicians We Need
Jul 29, 2022 by David Fowler
I believe one state legislative primary is a microcosm of the dilemma voters face during Republican primaries and provides insight into what is most needed among those we elect. The one I have in mind is that between Senator Jack Johnson and Gary Hum...
Evaluating Candidates For The Most Influential Office In State Government
Jul 22, 2022 by David Fowler
The next attorney general for our state will soon be selected by the justices on the Tennessee Supreme Court. I would submit that it is the most influential position in state government. And only one person whose name is being bandied about that I th...
Will SCOTUS ‘Abort’ All of Us?
May 19, 2022 by David Fowler
Justice Samuel Alito’s leaked abortion decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization seems to have put many pro-life policy advocates in a rush to enact newer, stricter laws prohibiting doctors from performing abortio...
Commentary