Terry Klefstad
@terryklefstad.bsky.social
Music history, health care, education are my concerns. My book is Crooked River City. Opinions are my own.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
I've told my colleagues in Germany it's not safe to travel here.
I don't think most Americans have a fucking clue how mad everyone is with the US.
It will not be fixed by one election.
Permanent damage. Generational.
I don't think most Americans have a fucking clue how mad everyone is with the US.
It will not be fixed by one election.
Permanent damage. Generational.
Talking with people at a holiday gathering here in Toronto last night, and when it came up, most of us nodded that we likely won’t ever visit the United States again.
It’s a weird feeling, and weird to acknowledge in a group.
It’s a weird feeling, and weird to acknowledge in a group.
December 31, 2025 at 12:42 AM
I've told my colleagues in Germany it's not safe to travel here.
I don't think most Americans have a fucking clue how mad everyone is with the US.
It will not be fixed by one election.
Permanent damage. Generational.
I don't think most Americans have a fucking clue how mad everyone is with the US.
It will not be fixed by one election.
Permanent damage. Generational.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
The countdown of our 25 most-read articles of 2025 can't stop, won't stop. Here is #6.
I Will Pay Any Amount to Not Pay My Taxes
Our 6th most-read article of 2025. - - -I’ve gotten myself into a bit of a jam. A series of natural disasters is barreling towards my home, and th...
buff.ly
December 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The countdown of our 25 most-read articles of 2025 can't stop, won't stop. Here is #6.
Peak BlueSky right here, folks.
Anyone else have a shower door just spontaneously absolutely explode into pieces? Fortunately nobody was there.
December 31, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Peak BlueSky right here, folks.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
The record high for Dec. 28 in Nashville (75°) has stood since 1874. Today we tied it.
December 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The record high for Dec. 28 in Nashville (75°) has stood since 1874. Today we tied it.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
Millions of Americans remain at jobs they hate for one reason: the health insurance they receive. That’s absurd.
Universal health care will give Americans the freedom to choose the work they want without worrying about health care coverage.
Another reason for Medicare for All.
Universal health care will give Americans the freedom to choose the work they want without worrying about health care coverage.
Another reason for Medicare for All.
December 28, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Millions of Americans remain at jobs they hate for one reason: the health insurance they receive. That’s absurd.
Universal health care will give Americans the freedom to choose the work they want without worrying about health care coverage.
Another reason for Medicare for All.
Universal health care will give Americans the freedom to choose the work they want without worrying about health care coverage.
Another reason for Medicare for All.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
shel silverstein was a prophet
December 27, 2025 at 4:08 PM
shel silverstein was a prophet
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
The ancient, contemplative form of poetry can capture, perhaps better than any other, the muffled quality of chilly afternoons and days spent indoors.
The Best Poetry for Dark Winter Days
Each collection speaks to a different seasonal mood, but all are worth slowing down with before the new year.
bit.ly
December 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The ancient, contemplative form of poetry can capture, perhaps better than any other, the muffled quality of chilly afternoons and days spent indoors.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
SWISHER: “Trump’s cuts to universities are setting 🇺🇸 research and important innovation back a generation.”
@karaswisher.bsky.social to @timmiller.bsky.social on @thebulwark.com : youtu.be/wrYJBHTmQcU?...
@karaswisher.bsky.social to @timmiller.bsky.social on @thebulwark.com : youtu.be/wrYJBHTmQcU?...
December 27, 2025 at 3:52 PM
SWISHER: “Trump’s cuts to universities are setting 🇺🇸 research and important innovation back a generation.”
@karaswisher.bsky.social to @timmiller.bsky.social on @thebulwark.com : youtu.be/wrYJBHTmQcU?...
@karaswisher.bsky.social to @timmiller.bsky.social on @thebulwark.com : youtu.be/wrYJBHTmQcU?...
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
I am telling you that a large part of their dysfunction is that several Trump officials imagine themselves, constantly, as being in a social media sizzle reel where they display status and dominance over others. Their online personas are driving their actual behavior.
Kash Patel made the FBI buy a custom fleet of armored BMW X5 for him to ride around in. trib.al/9pBbwTB
Patel’s FBI spokesperson claimed—without evidence—that this is actually saving the American taxpayer money. The standard version of the X5 costs about $70,000.
Patel’s FBI spokesperson claimed—without evidence—that this is actually saving the American taxpayer money. The standard version of the X5 costs about $70,000.
December 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I am telling you that a large part of their dysfunction is that several Trump officials imagine themselves, constantly, as being in a social media sizzle reel where they display status and dominance over others. Their online personas are driving their actual behavior.
It has been feeling to me for a long time like attorneys are the only people winning in any of this.
So. Many. Lawsuits.
So. Many. Lawsuits.
BREAKING: We are suing Trump & his cronies to restore the Kennedy Center’s lawful name
We @democracydefendersaction.org are proud to represent Kennedy Center Trustee @repbeatty.bsky.social w/ our friends at Washington Litigation Group
Congress named the Kennedy Center & only they can change it
We @democracydefendersaction.org are proud to represent Kennedy Center Trustee @repbeatty.bsky.social w/ our friends at Washington Litigation Group
Congress named the Kennedy Center & only they can change it
Press Release | Democracy Defenders Action
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty today sued President Trump and others to stop the unlawful renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of the Congressw...
www.democracydefendersaction.org
December 23, 2025 at 5:34 AM
It has been feeling to me for a long time like attorneys are the only people winning in any of this.
So. Many. Lawsuits.
So. Many. Lawsuits.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
Why Do Historians Still Have To Go To Archives?
Why do historians go to archives? Hasn’t everything already been digitized?
contingentmagazine.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
A quick reminder during this busy travel season to know your rights as a passenger. Please be kind, be safe, and have a great holiday season!
December 22, 2025 at 2:48 PM
A quick reminder during this busy travel season to know your rights as a passenger. Please be kind, be safe, and have a great holiday season!
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
🚑 🎶 "I Saw Mommy Charged Five Grand for Gauze"🎶🚑
💰🎶"Halve Your Wealth to Repair Your Meniscus"🎶💰
🫤🎶"God Rest Ye Weary New Mother (For 24 Hours, Then Please Vacate the Maternity Ward)" 🎶🫤
💰🎶"Halve Your Wealth to Repair Your Meniscus"🎶💰
🫤🎶"God Rest Ye Weary New Mother (For 24 Hours, Then Please Vacate the Maternity Ward)" 🎶🫤
Holidays Songs for Life Under the US Health Care System
“I’m Dreaming of a Light Sickness” “All I Want for Christmas Is You… to Acknowledge Receipt of the Referral I’ve Sent in Fourteen Damn Times Now” “...
buff.ly
December 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
🚑 🎶 "I Saw Mommy Charged Five Grand for Gauze"🎶🚑
💰🎶"Halve Your Wealth to Repair Your Meniscus"🎶💰
🫤🎶"God Rest Ye Weary New Mother (For 24 Hours, Then Please Vacate the Maternity Ward)" 🎶🫤
💰🎶"Halve Your Wealth to Repair Your Meniscus"🎶💰
🫤🎶"God Rest Ye Weary New Mother (For 24 Hours, Then Please Vacate the Maternity Ward)" 🎶🫤
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
This is the worst case scenario that everybody was worried about
It is utterly catastrophic that RFK Jr. plans to end CDC recommendations for most childhood vaccines.
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
December 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
This is the worst case scenario that everybody was worried about
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
December 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
Not extending ACA subsidies means millions of our people will have to choose between seeing the doctor and buying groceries or paying rent. GOP cruelty is not good for public health.
December 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Not extending ACA subsidies means millions of our people will have to choose between seeing the doctor and buying groceries or paying rent. GOP cruelty is not good for public health.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
There is, obviously, no “Presidential Immunity Clause” in the Constitution. The conservative justices’ un-originalist efforts to imagine one into it cannot be supported by text or history. trib.al/euILrS8
John Roberts and the Cynical Cult of Federalist No. 70
Alexander Hamilton’s treatise on executive power is one of the conservative legal movement’s favorite texts to quote—and misquote.
trib.al
December 14, 2025 at 5:20 PM
There is, obviously, no “Presidential Immunity Clause” in the Constitution. The conservative justices’ un-originalist efforts to imagine one into it cannot be supported by text or history. trib.al/euILrS8
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
How are we supposed to teach? How can they learn from us? When we are all literally terrified
December 13, 2025 at 11:25 PM
How are we supposed to teach? How can they learn from us? When we are all literally terrified
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
A tiny trial in New York has shown that personalized mRNA vaccines can provoke massive, lasting immune responses against pancreatic cancer, even as sweeping federal cuts now threaten the fragile labs required to produce them.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
December 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A tiny trial in New York has shown that personalized mRNA vaccines can provoke massive, lasting immune responses against pancreatic cancer, even as sweeping federal cuts now threaten the fragile labs required to produce them.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
This flailing shows how unprepared the GOP is to be the dog that caught the car.
Tens of millions of Americans are about to see their already too-expensive health insurance rates skyrocket. Millions will end up with no coverage—all thanks to the GOP, who, meanwhile, gave billionaires more tax cuts.
Tens of millions of Americans are about to see their already too-expensive health insurance rates skyrocket. Millions will end up with no coverage—all thanks to the GOP, who, meanwhile, gave billionaires more tax cuts.
December 13, 2025 at 11:08 AM
This flailing shows how unprepared the GOP is to be the dog that caught the car.
Tens of millions of Americans are about to see their already too-expensive health insurance rates skyrocket. Millions will end up with no coverage—all thanks to the GOP, who, meanwhile, gave billionaires more tax cuts.
Tens of millions of Americans are about to see their already too-expensive health insurance rates skyrocket. Millions will end up with no coverage—all thanks to the GOP, who, meanwhile, gave billionaires more tax cuts.
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
Remarkable how brutal the ruling against Trump on Abrego Garcia truly is: It details flagrant and malicious abuses of power all throughout. Trump and Stephen Miller were testing their ability to spread lawless state terror. But the court held the line. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
Fiasco for Trump as Judge Issues Harsh Rebuke in Abrego Garcia Case
Judge Paula Xinis’s ruling temporarily freed Kilmar Abrego Garcia from custody. It also savagely indicted Trump’s lawless handling of this whole affair from start to finish.
newrepublic.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Remarkable how brutal the ruling against Trump on Abrego Garcia truly is: It details flagrant and malicious abuses of power all throughout. Trump and Stephen Miller were testing their ability to spread lawless state terror. But the court held the line. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
Reposted by Terry Klefstad
The Kremlin likes to exercise rhetorical dominance over Trump and they say this in the safe knowledge that we won’t invade or that if we do it will be a disaster. Trump might think of Putin as a friend but that’s not how Russia sees the US. The US is to be humiliated, fragmented, and weakened.
I’m totally lost. I thought we were invading Venezuela. And now allies with Russia. So the friend of my “friend”
is…?
is…?
"The Russian President expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and confirmed his support for [the Maduro] government's course in defense of the country's sovereignty."
December 11, 2025 at 6:01 PM
The Kremlin likes to exercise rhetorical dominance over Trump and they say this in the safe knowledge that we won’t invade or that if we do it will be a disaster. Trump might think of Putin as a friend but that’s not how Russia sees the US. The US is to be humiliated, fragmented, and weakened.