Cheryl Rofer
@cherylrofer.bsky.social
Retired nuclear scientist. Worked in Estonia, Kazakhstan, and Los Alamos.
Posting on nuclear issues, war, nature, science, and women's issues. Also cats. She/her.
Blogs at Nuclear Diner and Lawyers, Guns & Money
Banner: The invincible summer within
Posting on nuclear issues, war, nature, science, and women's issues. Also cats. She/her.
Blogs at Nuclear Diner and Lawyers, Guns & Money
Banner: The invincible summer within
Pinned
Cheryl Rofer
@cherylrofer.bsky.social
· Jan 16
Solidarity, people!
Not recriminations
Not "I told you so."
Solidarity.
Not recriminations
Not "I told you so."
Solidarity.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
For the most part, it's looking like a mostly dry and warm start to December across much of the Southwest including much of California--with the major exception of the Central Valley, where a cold/damp tule fog layer may persist for a while yet. [Thread]
November 29, 2025 at 6:39 PM
For the most part, it's looking like a mostly dry and warm start to December across much of the Southwest including much of California--with the major exception of the Central Valley, where a cold/damp tule fog layer may persist for a while yet. [Thread]
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
There are specific reasons Trumpists want war on Venezuela, but there‘s a generic one: they crave power to make war on anyone, any time, for completely fabricated reasons, and then to use the guise of war to increase violence and repression everywhere, including home.
They are lawless bestial scum.
They are lawless bestial scum.
November 29, 2025 at 6:28 PM
There are specific reasons Trumpists want war on Venezuela, but there‘s a generic one: they crave power to make war on anyone, any time, for completely fabricated reasons, and then to use the guise of war to increase violence and repression everywhere, including home.
They are lawless bestial scum.
They are lawless bestial scum.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
A classic winter-like "tule fog" pattern will persist for at least a few more days in CA's Central Valley (w/spillover into SF Bay), but warm, dry, and mostly sunny conditions persist above and south of the fog layer! But how about some deeper tule fog context? [Thread] #CAwx
November 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
A classic winter-like "tule fog" pattern will persist for at least a few more days in CA's Central Valley (w/spillover into SF Bay), but warm, dry, and mostly sunny conditions persist above and south of the fog layer! But how about some deeper tule fog context? [Thread] #CAwx
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
I again suggest that the world shut down between Thanksgiving and the Epiphany. You cover many holidays that way and we all get a rest. Essential workers make double pay and we have lots of feasts. Neighborhoods celebrate together and we bring back wassailing and 12 days of Xmas. Elect me president.
November 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I again suggest that the world shut down between Thanksgiving and the Epiphany. You cover many holidays that way and we all get a rest. Essential workers make double pay and we have lots of feasts. Neighborhoods celebrate together and we bring back wassailing and 12 days of Xmas. Elect me president.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Thing is, we DID hear about it at his confirmation hearing.
Every single senator who voted to confirm Hegseth knew he held these views about the laws of war.
They voted to confirm him anyway.
Every single senator who voted to confirm Hegseth knew he held these views about the laws of war.
They voted to confirm him anyway.
Everyone should read this terrifying thread about Hegseth’s published views wrt war crimes. It’s pretty fucking radical …. We needed to hear about this in his confirmation hearing.
A chapter in Hegseth’s book is literally titled “More Lethality, Less Lawyers.”
It’s almost as if there were signs!
It’s almost as if there were signs!
November 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Thing is, we DID hear about it at his confirmation hearing.
Every single senator who voted to confirm Hegseth knew he held these views about the laws of war.
They voted to confirm him anyway.
Every single senator who voted to confirm Hegseth knew he held these views about the laws of war.
They voted to confirm him anyway.
November 29, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
If you think more liberation movements are built on “what have we got to lose” and not hope for a better future, you’re already lost. My family survived two genocides. They didn’t survive because they were doomers. They survived on hope.
More of them are built on "what have we got to lose?"
November 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
If you think more liberation movements are built on “what have we got to lose” and not hope for a better future, you’re already lost. My family survived two genocides. They didn’t survive because they were doomers. They survived on hope.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
NYC: ICE is staging at Centre and Howard St. Get down there if you can.
Happening now near Canal Street, federal agents had been staging inside a fed owned parking garage, now being confronted by a group of protesters. masked agents are looking on from above.
November 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
NYC: ICE is staging at Centre and Howard St. Get down there if you can.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
How is this a shock to anyone who's been paying even the most minimal attention to what Trump has been saying and his admin have been doing all year? I posted this in February, for example. Officials who simply chose not to believe it because it's all too difficult might want to rethink their career
November 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
How is this a shock to anyone who's been paying even the most minimal attention to what Trump has been saying and his admin have been doing all year? I posted this in February, for example. Officials who simply chose not to believe it because it's all too difficult might want to rethink their career
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
This is essentially Vinay Prasad, who has an MD, declaring his intent to use the government to torture children to dead via preventable disease by knowingly withholding the cure.
To call this despicable is an understatement.
To call this despicable is an understatement.
Vinay Prasad of the FDA claims that he has proof that 10 children died from COVID19 vaccines, so the FDA will now target flu shots, look at whether people should receive multiple vaccines at the same time, and make the vaccine approval process significantly more difficult.
FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements, claiming child covid shot deaths
Vinay Prasad, the nation’s top vaccine regulator, said his team concluded that coronavirus shots were linked to children’s deaths, necessitating a new approach.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:14 PM
This is essentially Vinay Prasad, who has an MD, declaring his intent to use the government to torture children to dead via preventable disease by knowingly withholding the cure.
To call this despicable is an understatement.
To call this despicable is an understatement.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
FOR NO REASON
Nat Sec think tanks, COIN heads, Great Power™ Commentators, Op-Ed Columnists with a security focus, anyone, are you going to say on TV that this has no basis and is absolutely bonkers?
Nat Sec think tanks, COIN heads, Great Power™ Commentators, Op-Ed Columnists with a security focus, anyone, are you going to say on TV that this has no basis and is absolutely bonkers?
The president is about to start a war for no real reason. All of the things he has blamed on the country he’s targeting — fentanyl distribution, “emptying the asylums” and sending patients to the U.S., alignment with Tren de Aragua— are provably, obviously false.
Lots of people are going to die.
Lots of people are going to die.
November 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
FOR NO REASON
Nat Sec think tanks, COIN heads, Great Power™ Commentators, Op-Ed Columnists with a security focus, anyone, are you going to say on TV that this has no basis and is absolutely bonkers?
Nat Sec think tanks, COIN heads, Great Power™ Commentators, Op-Ed Columnists with a security focus, anyone, are you going to say on TV that this has no basis and is absolutely bonkers?
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
The president is about to start a war for no real reason. All of the things he has blamed on the country he’s targeting — fentanyl distribution, “emptying the asylums” and sending patients to the U.S., alignment with Tren de Aragua— are provably, obviously false.
Lots of people are going to die.
Lots of people are going to die.
November 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The president is about to start a war for no real reason. All of the things he has blamed on the country he’s targeting — fentanyl distribution, “emptying the asylums” and sending patients to the U.S., alignment with Tren de Aragua— are provably, obviously false.
Lots of people are going to die.
Lots of people are going to die.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
RFK Jr. says there’s not enough evidence to prove vaccines don’t cause autism.
There’s also not enough evidence to prove RFK Jr. doesn’t have a fetish for watching people die of infectious diseases.
And there never will be because you can’t prove a negative. See how that works?
There’s also not enough evidence to prove RFK Jr. doesn’t have a fetish for watching people die of infectious diseases.
And there never will be because you can’t prove a negative. See how that works?
November 29, 2025 at 4:03 PM
RFK Jr. says there’s not enough evidence to prove vaccines don’t cause autism.
There’s also not enough evidence to prove RFK Jr. doesn’t have a fetish for watching people die of infectious diseases.
And there never will be because you can’t prove a negative. See how that works?
There’s also not enough evidence to prove RFK Jr. doesn’t have a fetish for watching people die of infectious diseases.
And there never will be because you can’t prove a negative. See how that works?
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Two significant takeaways from this:
- done in broad daylight
- done out of range and relative safety of Russian Navy & air power
To compensate Russia would need to devote security teams to every tanker – which even then is no magic cure – at a time when they have manpower issues.
Smart tactics.
- done in broad daylight
- done out of range and relative safety of Russian Navy & air power
To compensate Russia would need to devote security teams to every tanker – which even then is no magic cure – at a time when they have manpower issues.
Smart tactics.
💥🚢 Sea Baby naval drones strike two sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Black Sea.
Sea Baby naval drones operated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) have struck two sanctioned tankers of Russia’s shadow fleet — KAIRO and VIRAT — in the Black Sea.
Sea Baby naval drones operated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) have struck two sanctioned tankers of Russia’s shadow fleet — KAIRO and VIRAT — in the Black Sea.
November 29, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Two significant takeaways from this:
- done in broad daylight
- done out of range and relative safety of Russian Navy & air power
To compensate Russia would need to devote security teams to every tanker – which even then is no magic cure – at a time when they have manpower issues.
Smart tactics.
- done in broad daylight
- done out of range and relative safety of Russian Navy & air power
To compensate Russia would need to devote security teams to every tanker – which even then is no magic cure – at a time when they have manpower issues.
Smart tactics.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Look, every single “deal” reached by a university with the Trump administration is a moral stain that will be seen with deep embarrassment once we’re through this. But for Northwestern to do this now, when the administration is visibly weakened, is even more shameful and inexcusable.
November 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Look, every single “deal” reached by a university with the Trump administration is a moral stain that will be seen with deep embarrassment once we’re through this. But for Northwestern to do this now, when the administration is visibly weakened, is even more shameful and inexcusable.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Day 1275 of my 3 day war. Ukraine seems to carrying out its own sanctions on my shadow fleet.
November 29, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Day 1275 of my 3 day war. Ukraine seems to carrying out its own sanctions on my shadow fleet.
Donald Trump is famous for failed deals and bankruptcies.
To make a deal work, it helps to know something about the substance.
So let's talk about rare earths, the attraction of which for Trump is probably that first word. 1/
To make a deal work, it helps to know something about the substance.
So let's talk about rare earths, the attraction of which for Trump is probably that first word. 1/
Extraordinary WSJ reporting today that unveils the extent to which Trump, Witkoff, Kushner and US business executives are salivating over business deals with Russia while Putin’s forces kidnap Ukranian children and bomb civilians in their apartments.
🎁 www.wsj.com/world/russia...
🎁 www.wsj.com/world/russia...
November 29, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Donald Trump is famous for failed deals and bankruptcies.
To make a deal work, it helps to know something about the substance.
So let's talk about rare earths, the attraction of which for Trump is probably that first word. 1/
To make a deal work, it helps to know something about the substance.
So let's talk about rare earths, the attraction of which for Trump is probably that first word. 1/
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
one reason "great power competition" is a bad description of the emerging order is that an interlinked global kleptocracy does not care about national interests or rivalries
Extraordinary WSJ reporting today that unveils the extent to which Trump, Witkoff, Kushner and US business executives are salivating over business deals with Russia while Putin’s forces kidnap Ukranian children and bomb civilians in their apartments.
🎁 www.wsj.com/world/russia...
🎁 www.wsj.com/world/russia...
November 29, 2025 at 2:42 PM
one reason "great power competition" is a bad description of the emerging order is that an interlinked global kleptocracy does not care about national interests or rivalries
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Ukraine's security service says it launched maritime drones to strike two sanctioned oil tankers in the Black Sea, part of Russia's shadow fleet. www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/20...
Two tankers of Russia's shadow fleet hit by Ukraine's Security Service maritime drones – Ukrainska Pravda source
The blowing up of two tankers in Russia's shadow fleet has been carried out as a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU).
www.pravda.com.ua
November 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Ukraine's security service says it launched maritime drones to strike two sanctioned oil tankers in the Black Sea, part of Russia's shadow fleet. www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/20...
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Puffins have returned to Northern Ireland’s Isle of Muck (seriously, that’s its name) for the first time in at least 25 years. Tales of puffins on the island “felt more like folklore,” said nature reserves manager Andy Crory, but now they’re coming back. buff.ly/oBQlH6r
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Puffins: Isle of Muck comeback 'proves restoration works'
Puffins have been seen on the Isle of Muck off Antrim for the first time in at least 25 years
buff.ly
November 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Puffins have returned to Northern Ireland’s Isle of Muck (seriously, that’s its name) for the first time in at least 25 years. Tales of puffins on the island “felt more like folklore,” said nature reserves manager Andy Crory, but now they’re coming back. buff.ly/oBQlH6r
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Trump thinks he’s the emperor of airspace.
More saber rattling.
There are good reasons that the U.S. Constitution does not leave the decision on whether to go to war to the whims of one man.
There are good reasons that the U.S. Constitution does not leave the decision on whether to go to war to the whims of one man.
November 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Trump thinks he’s the emperor of airspace.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
November 29, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Mortimer the Turkey Vulture!
New Mexico Wildlife Center highlights new turkey vulture ambassador animal
New Mexico Wildlife Center highlights new turkey vulture ambassador animal
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — Thanksgiving is over, but there’s a new turkey in town. The New Mexico Wildlife Center is introducing their newest ambassador animal – Mortimer the turkey vulture. H…
www.krqe.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Mortimer the Turkey Vulture!
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
republicans love to leave out the benefits when talking cost-benefit analysis of government programs. they’re using the same technique on vaccines. they don’t want people to see the full picture/both sides of the equation
November 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
republicans love to leave out the benefits when talking cost-benefit analysis of government programs. they’re using the same technique on vaccines. they don’t want people to see the full picture/both sides of the equation
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
In line with my policy in (other) authoritarian regimes, I will not speak in an official capacity at a U.S. university that signs one of the illiberal deals with the Trump administration.
I will, of course, continue to collaborate with, and support, faculty and students at those institutions.
I will, of course, continue to collaborate with, and support, faculty and students at those institutions.
November 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
In line with my policy in (other) authoritarian regimes, I will not speak in an official capacity at a U.S. university that signs one of the illiberal deals with the Trump administration.
I will, of course, continue to collaborate with, and support, faculty and students at those institutions.
I will, of course, continue to collaborate with, and support, faculty and students at those institutions.