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Jim Downard

Jim Downard is a Spokane native (with a sojourn in Southern California back in the early 1960s) who was raised in a secular family, so says had no personal faith to lose. He's always been a history and science buff (getting a bachelor's in the former area at what was then Eastern Washington University in the early 1970s).
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Trump tariffs, immigration raids threaten economic crisis and democratic norms

Parallels between Trump’s second coming and dystopia grow sharper. Ethics, economy, and authoritarianism converge in America’s unfolding story.
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Trump turns America into ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Pottersville

Juggling fiction and facts, the author compares Trump 2.0’s America to Pottersville in "It's a Wonderful Life" warning Trump's version is not so wonderful.
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A tale of two states: Hope and progress vs. the hate and fear of Christian nationalism

Uncover the threat of Christian nationalism discussed at a recent conference. Explore the impact and implications of this ideology and why coalitions are important.
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Christmas in September: Trump gave us ‘source methods’ gifts debating Harris

Find out why fact-checking matters in the Trump and Harris debate. Read James Downard's analysis on the role of media in the vetting process.
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Christian nationalism: The nasty tip of a bigger (and even nastier?) iceberg

Get insights into the threat of Christian nationalism and its interconnected players at the upcoming conference in Spokane. Join us for a discussion with renowned speakers Andrew Seidel and Brad Onishi.
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Louisiana’s Latest ‘Thou Shalt’ Law: 10 Commandments to Save Public Schools (But Only if Churches Foot the Bill)

Louisiana mandates the display of the 10 Commandments in public schools, inviting legal challenges and controversy over church-state separation. Governor Landry's move sparks debate on religious influence in education.
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Everything You Need To Know About Life You Can Get from ‘The Twilight Zone’ and Rodgers & Hammerstein Musicals

Should someone ask me (a secular atheist) where I got my philosophy of life — what to value, how to behave — and how not to, I can answer simply and directly: from watching Rod Serling’s “The Twilight Zone” and Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals as I grew up.
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