Robert Downen
@robertdownen.bsky.social
Texas Monthly writer focused on the far right, Christian nationalism and the billionaires funding them. Helped expose the Southern Baptist abuse crisis. Fan of Hip Hop and loud guitars. DAEAC#E evangelist. Send me good music.
Pinned
She Wanted to Speak on Anti-Muslim Bigotry. She Was Labeled a Terrorist Leader.
Shaimaa Zayan, who works for the Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urged the Texas State Board of Education to reconsider its curriculum changes.
www.texasmonthly.com
A Muslim activist tried to tell Texas education leaders about a growing wave of Islamophobia. Some of them called her a terrorist.
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
New, least-favorite meme just dropped.
November 26, 2025 at 3:59 AM
New, least-favorite meme just dropped.
Reposted by Robert Downen
Space photographer Andrew James McCarthy @ajamesmccarthy.bsky.social has captured many epic images of celestial bodies, but this may be his greatest: a perfectly timed photo of a skydiving friend with the sun behind him (shot w/ equipment revealing great solar detail).
Behold "The Fall of Icarus."
Behold "The Fall of Icarus."
November 26, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Space photographer Andrew James McCarthy @ajamesmccarthy.bsky.social has captured many epic images of celestial bodies, but this may be his greatest: a perfectly timed photo of a skydiving friend with the sun behind him (shot w/ equipment revealing great solar detail).
Behold "The Fall of Icarus."
Behold "The Fall of Icarus."
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath recently met with a top official from Turning Point USA to discuss creating chapters in all of the state’s high schools, days before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick promised $1 million in campaign funds to help bring the project to life.
Turning Point USA talked expansion with Texas education chief
The meeting happened days before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pledged $1 million to help establish chapters of the conservative student group on every Texas college and high school campus.
www.texastribune.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath recently met with a top official from Turning Point USA to discuss creating chapters in all of the state’s high schools, days before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick promised $1 million in campaign funds to help bring the project to life.
Reposted by Robert Downen
An unidentified woman on Monday sued Glenn Hamer, Texas Association of Business president and CEO, alleging he sexually harassed and assaulted her, then retaliated when she rejected his advances.
Head of Texas’ top business group sued for sexual assault
An unidentified woman on Monday sued Glenn Hamer, Texas Association of Business president and CEO, alleging he sexually harassed and assaulted her, then retaliated when she rejected his advances.
www.texastribune.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
An unidentified woman on Monday sued Glenn Hamer, Texas Association of Business president and CEO, alleging he sexually harassed and assaulted her, then retaliated when she rejected his advances.
A Houston-area church employee allegedly impersonated an ICE agent to extort a massage therapist he’d just seen, showing her a fake badge and telling her she would never see her family again if she didn’t Zelle him $500.
Church employee posed as ICE agent to extort victim for money, HPD says
A church safety director is under arrest after being accused of posing as an ICE agent to extort a woman for money.
abc13.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
A Houston-area church employee allegedly impersonated an ICE agent to extort a massage therapist he’d just seen, showing her a fake badge and telling her she would never see her family again if she didn’t Zelle him $500.
Reposted by Robert Downen
A Muslim activist tried to tell Texas education leaders about a growing wave of Islamophobia. Some of them called her a terrorist.
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
She Wanted to Speak on Anti-Muslim Bigotry. She Was Labeled a Terrorist Leader.
Shaimaa Zayan, who works for the Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urged the Texas State Board of Education to reconsider its curriculum changes.
www.texasmonthly.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:30 PM
A Muslim activist tried to tell Texas education leaders about a growing wave of Islamophobia. Some of them called her a terrorist.
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
Reposted by Robert Downen
“Shlomi told Fox News Digital in an interview Sunday that his decision to run for office was ultimately motivated by a desire to ‘destroy wokeism’ and as a tribute to the late Charlie Kirk, whom he called the original ‘woke buster.’”
The Shamwow Guy just announced that he is running for Texas’ 31st Congressional District.
November 24, 2025 at 3:14 AM
“Shlomi told Fox News Digital in an interview Sunday that his decision to run for office was ultimately motivated by a desire to ‘destroy wokeism’ and as a tribute to the late Charlie Kirk, whom he called the original ‘woke buster.’”
Reposted by Robert Downen
“I share these stories not to victimize the Muslim community or seek sympathy. In fact, I see these perpetrators as victims as well— victims of isolation, stereotypes, single narratives, and narrow perspectives.”
A Muslim activist tried to tell Texas education leaders about a growing wave of Islamophobia. Some of them called her a terrorist.
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
She Wanted to Speak on Anti-Muslim Bigotry. She Was Labeled a Terrorist Leader.
Shaimaa Zayan, who works for the Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urged the Texas State Board of Education to reconsider its curriculum changes.
www.texasmonthly.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
“I share these stories not to victimize the Muslim community or seek sympathy. In fact, I see these perpetrators as victims as well— victims of isolation, stereotypes, single narratives, and narrow perspectives.”
Reposted by Robert Downen
Scoop: As questions swirl around Olivia Nuzzi, I’ve learned she’s been relatively absent in the day-to-day at Vanity Fair, as the magazine continues to weather the storm the controversial hire brought through 1 World Trade Center
www.status.news/p/olivia-nuz...
www.status.news/p/olivia-nuz...
Condé’s Nuzzi Conundrum
Inside Condé Nast's media drama: Gabriel Nuzzi's revelations spark controversy, exposing internal tensions and unfolding newsroom dynamics with dramatic flair.
www.status.news
November 24, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Scoop: As questions swirl around Olivia Nuzzi, I’ve learned she’s been relatively absent in the day-to-day at Vanity Fair, as the magazine continues to weather the storm the controversial hire brought through 1 World Trade Center
www.status.news/p/olivia-nuz...
www.status.news/p/olivia-nuz...
One time someone broke into my car, stole all of my change, a pair of basketball shoes, and not a single one of the CDs that they had pulled out my CD booklet and thrown around my backseat in what I assume was angry disappointment. Still messes with me.
Yes I’d feel a way if the driver thought my stuff wasn’t fly enough to steal.
This reminds me of the winter right after I moved into my house (closed in August, moved in right before October).
The FedEx and UPS drivers were opening boxes to decide if they wanted to steal your shit. One of my packages got delivered completely pried open.
The FedEx and UPS drivers were opening boxes to decide if they wanted to steal your shit. One of my packages got delivered completely pried open.
November 23, 2025 at 11:47 PM
One time someone broke into my car, stole all of my change, a pair of basketball shoes, and not a single one of the CDs that they had pulled out my CD booklet and thrown around my backseat in what I assume was angry disappointment. Still messes with me.
You’ll never guess what this post is about.
The damned in hell are not more powerful for the fact that the fires do not consume them; it is part and parcel of their torment.
November 23, 2025 at 7:23 PM
You’ll never guess what this post is about.
The Shamwow Guy just announced that he is running for Texas’ 31st Congressional District.
November 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The Shamwow Guy just announced that he is running for Texas’ 31st Congressional District.
“I share these stories not to victimize the Muslim community or seek sympathy. In fact, I see these perpetrators as victims as well— victims of isolation, stereotypes, single narratives, and narrow perspectives.”
A Muslim activist tried to tell Texas education leaders about a growing wave of Islamophobia. Some of them called her a terrorist.
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
She Wanted to Speak on Anti-Muslim Bigotry. She Was Labeled a Terrorist Leader.
Shaimaa Zayan, who works for the Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urged the Texas State Board of Education to reconsider its curriculum changes.
www.texasmonthly.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
“I share these stories not to victimize the Muslim community or seek sympathy. In fact, I see these perpetrators as victims as well— victims of isolation, stereotypes, single narratives, and narrow perspectives.”
“Oval Office love fest.”
November 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
“Oval Office love fest.”
A Muslim activist tried to tell Texas education leaders about a growing wave of Islamophobia. Some of them called her a terrorist.
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
She Wanted to Speak on Anti-Muslim Bigotry. She Was Labeled a Terrorist Leader.
Shaimaa Zayan, who works for the Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urged the Texas State Board of Education to reconsider its curriculum changes.
www.texasmonthly.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:30 PM
A Muslim activist tried to tell Texas education leaders about a growing wave of Islamophobia. Some of them called her a terrorist.
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
A dispatch from the front line of the battle to Christianize public schools:
Two North Texas men allegedly plotted to invade an island off Haiti, kill all the men and turn the women and children into their sex slaves. The two were charged while trying to organize a mercenary force.
2 North Texas men indicted in alleged plot to invade Haitian island, kill all men, enslave women and children
Two North Texas men are facing charges after allegedly plotting to invade an island off Haiti, kill all the men and turn the women and children into their sex slaves, according to the U.S. Attorney's ...
www.cbsnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Two North Texas men allegedly plotted to invade an island off Haiti, kill all the men and turn the women and children into their sex slaves. The two were charged while trying to organize a mercenary force.
If you have the means, please consider helping:
If you follow my work you know that I often ask my audience to support my journalism. This time, it's different. My fiancee's mother has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer. She's on fixed income and we had to relocate her to Dallas for care. She needs your help.
www.gofundme.com/f/extend-pat...
www.gofundme.com/f/extend-pat...
Donate to Extend Patti's Joyful Life Amidst Cancer Fight, organized by Kaitlin Siebert
On October 30th, 2025, my mom, Patti, was diagnosed with stage IV color… Kaitlin Siebert needs your support for Extend Patti's Joyful Life Amidst Cancer Fight
www.gofundme.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
If you have the means, please consider helping:
Reposted by Robert Downen
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 AM
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
This hearing just began with a State Board of Education member trying to bar a Council on American-Islamic Relations representative barred from speaking because she leads a "terrorist" organization. (Yesterday, Gov. Abbott designated CAIR as such).
Happening now: Texas clergy speaking out about the influence of Christian nationalism — including David Barton’s theories — on proposed social studies curriculum. The State Board of Education will hold a hearing on the proposals later today.
November 20, 2025 at 12:06 AM
This hearing just began with a State Board of Education member trying to bar a Council on American-Islamic Relations representative barred from speaking because she leads a "terrorist" organization. (Yesterday, Gov. Abbott designated CAIR as such).
Following Tuesday’s ruling against Texas’ gerrymandered congressional maps, the GOP has honed in on a new, “far left” target: Judge Jeffrey Brown, a former Texas Supreme Court justice and Trump appointee with a long history in the conservative legal movement.
Judge Jeffrey Brown draws attacks from one-time GOP allies
Until being labeled as the "radical left," Brown was widely supported by Texas Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, who previously hired him as his clerk. Abbott called the ruling “clearly erroneo...
www.texastribune.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Following Tuesday’s ruling against Texas’ gerrymandered congressional maps, the GOP has honed in on a new, “far left” target: Judge Jeffrey Brown, a former Texas Supreme Court justice and Trump appointee with a long history in the conservative legal movement.
Happening now: Texas clergy speaking out about the influence of Christian nationalism — including David Barton’s theories — on proposed social studies curriculum. The State Board of Education will hold a hearing on the proposals later today.
November 19, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Happening now: Texas clergy speaking out about the influence of Christian nationalism — including David Barton’s theories — on proposed social studies curriculum. The State Board of Education will hold a hearing on the proposals later today.
A White House official intervened amid a federal investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate.
The official? Paul Ingrassia, whose nominee was recently pulled by Trump after text messages emerged in which he said he had a "Nazi streak."
The official? Paul Ingrassia, whose nominee was recently pulled by Trump after text messages emerged in which he said he had a "Nazi streak."
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:13 AM
A White House official intervened amid a federal investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate.
The official? Paul Ingrassia, whose nominee was recently pulled by Trump after text messages emerged in which he said he had a "Nazi streak."
The official? Paul Ingrassia, whose nominee was recently pulled by Trump after text messages emerged in which he said he had a "Nazi streak."
Just in: Another hit for Texas’ Ten Commandments law.
Federal Judge Orders Some Texas Schools to Remove Ten Commandment Posters
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Just in: Another hit for Texas’ Ten Commandments law.
“The Herald’s findings reveal that Chomsky continued to correspond with him at least until the summer of 2019, even after the Herald’s series led to widespread outcry and the Justice Department publicly announced a fresh probe.“
Epstein turned to academic Chomsky, others to rehab image after Herald investigation
Other potential people Epstein considered included deceased Nobel Prize-winning scientist James Watson and Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen.
www.miamiherald.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:54 PM
“The Herald’s findings reveal that Chomsky continued to correspond with him at least until the summer of 2019, even after the Herald’s series led to widespread outcry and the Justice Department publicly announced a fresh probe.“
Reposted by Robert Downen
“.. a finding that could end America’s status as a nation that has eliminated measles.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
November 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
“.. a finding that could end America’s status as a nation that has eliminated measles.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...