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.
I will just say that people talking about two guys righting that overturned boat have never passed the qualification test for canoeing that my summer camp required.
Overturn the canoe and then right it. It's harder than it looks to guys who also think they could outwrestle a chimp.
Overturn the canoe and then right it. It's harder than it looks to guys who also think they could outwrestle a chimp.
December 5, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I will just say that people talking about two guys righting that overturned boat have never passed the qualification test for canoeing that my summer camp required.
Overturn the canoe and then right it. It's harder than it looks to guys who also think they could outwrestle a chimp.
Overturn the canoe and then right it. It's harder than it looks to guys who also think they could outwrestle a chimp.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Thread on the huge shift in US policy towards Russia visible in the new National Security Strategy - the biggest change since the collapse of the USSR. 🧵
December 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Thread on the huge shift in US policy towards Russia visible in the new National Security Strategy - the biggest change since the collapse of the USSR. 🧵
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Magdalena
Las Truchas
Silver City
Santa Rosa
Lordsburg
Socorro
Las Truchas
Silver City
Santa Rosa
Lordsburg
Socorro
December 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Magdalena
Las Truchas
Silver City
Santa Rosa
Lordsburg
Socorro
Las Truchas
Silver City
Santa Rosa
Lordsburg
Socorro
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
New York Times to Sue Pentagon Over First Amendment Rights
The company plans to say in a lawsuit that the Defense Department’s new reporting restrictions infringed on the constitutional rights of journalists.
"freedom"
The company plans to say in a lawsuit that the Defense Department’s new reporting restrictions infringed on the constitutional rights of journalists.
"freedom"
New York Times Sues Pentagon Over First Amendment Rights
The lawsuit said the Defense Department’s new set of rules for journalists “violates the Constitution’s guarantees of due process, freedom of speech and freedom of the press.”
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:25 PM
New York Times to Sue Pentagon Over First Amendment Rights
The company plans to say in a lawsuit that the Defense Department’s new reporting restrictions infringed on the constitutional rights of journalists.
"freedom"
The company plans to say in a lawsuit that the Defense Department’s new reporting restrictions infringed on the constitutional rights of journalists.
"freedom"
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
OK, so for the next few hours, I will be answering questions on Reddit's AskHistorians forum about my new book -- feel free to pop over there if you are so inclined! reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
From the AskHistorians community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the AskHistorians community
reddit.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:51 PM
OK, so for the next few hours, I will be answering questions on Reddit's AskHistorians forum about my new book -- feel free to pop over there if you are so inclined! reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
WaPo is reporting that Bradley told lawmakers that Hegseth DID give a kill order.
December 5, 2025 at 2:42 PM
WaPo is reporting that Bradley told lawmakers that Hegseth DID give a kill order.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
The National Security strategy could have saved everyone a lot of time if they’d just published the 14 words instead because that’s what it amounts to.
December 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The National Security strategy could have saved everyone a lot of time if they’d just published the 14 words instead because that’s what it amounts to.
My quandary for today: do I work through the National Security Strategy or just go with what the folks who stayed up all night with it say
The hysteria over the civilisationalist guff in the Trump Security Strategy is as ridiculous as the document itself
But if there is one aspect worth monitoring it is in how its framing of economic policy would destabilise aspects of globalisation that are foundations of US power
But if there is one aspect worth monitoring it is in how its framing of economic policy would destabilise aspects of globalisation that are foundations of US power
December 5, 2025 at 2:14 PM
My quandary for today: do I work through the National Security Strategy or just go with what the folks who stayed up all night with it say
Good to know that serious and responsible people are handling intelligence data for national agencies
December 5, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Good to know that serious and responsible people are handling intelligence data for national agencies
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Imagine how the U.S. gov't (& public) would react if, during an invasion, Venezuela shot down a U.S. military helicopter & two crew members survived. But then the Venezuelans killed the surviving crew & gave as their rationale: they could have fixed the helicopter & continued their assault on us.
New in PN: A war criminal without a war
"We’re watching the flimsy justifications fall apart in real time. They can try to shift the blame. They can try to say that people clinging to wreckage for dear life are somehow an active threat. But in the end, it’s just murder."
"We’re watching the flimsy justifications fall apart in real time. They can try to shift the blame. They can try to say that people clinging to wreckage for dear life are somehow an active threat. But in the end, it’s just murder."
A war criminal without a war
It's just murder.
www.publicnotice.co
December 5, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Imagine how the U.S. gov't (& public) would react if, during an invasion, Venezuela shot down a U.S. military helicopter & two crew members survived. But then the Venezuelans killed the surviving crew & gave as their rationale: they could have fixed the helicopter & continued their assault on us.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
PSA: we have rabid coyotes in SW New Mexico.
If you see a wild animal behaving strangely, get far away fast. Bear spray works too to keep your distance. And if you get bitten, get treatment right away.
Also make sure your pets are vaccinated!
If you see a wild animal behaving strangely, get far away fast. Bear spray works too to keep your distance. And if you get bitten, get treatment right away.
Also make sure your pets are vaccinated!
Rabid coyote bites hiker in southwest New Mexico
www.nmhealth.org
December 5, 2025 at 1:26 PM
PSA: we have rabid coyotes in SW New Mexico.
If you see a wild animal behaving strangely, get far away fast. Bear spray works too to keep your distance. And if you get bitten, get treatment right away.
Also make sure your pets are vaccinated!
If you see a wild animal behaving strangely, get far away fast. Bear spray works too to keep your distance. And if you get bitten, get treatment right away.
Also make sure your pets are vaccinated!
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
This. #Profession ⤵️
"Barbaric behavior tarnishes all who wear, or once wore, the uniform, and lust for cruelty turns a noble vocation into mere thuggery."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/o...
Opinion | Trump’s Boat Strikes Corrode America’s Soul
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:26 PM
This. #Profession ⤵️
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
When it comes to the Trump Regime telling European countries how to govern, the latter should just tell Trumpers to fuck all the way off.
Eisenhower would be rolling in his grave.
The idea that the US wants the "unapologetic celebration" of European nationalism is bonkers. Suppressing Euro nationalism is why we fought in WWII and in large part why we stayed in Europe forever after.
The idea that the US wants the "unapologetic celebration" of European nationalism is bonkers. Suppressing Euro nationalism is why we fought in WWII and in large part why we stayed in Europe forever after.
"Patiotic European parties" - ie pro-Russian neofascists.
December 5, 2025 at 12:45 PM
When it comes to the Trump Regime telling European countries how to govern, the latter should just tell Trumpers to fuck all the way off.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Extremely informative thread on the operational chains of command for the Caribbean boat bombings, and the potential turf battles that may have contributed to Adm. Holsey's departure as SouthCom commander.
The "-terrorist" part of narco-terrorist is load-bearing in many ways.
The "-terrorist" part of narco-terrorist is load-bearing in many ways.
I've posted a couple times about authorities, and it sounds like boring dork shit but it actually is extremely important to understand this whole mess
Prior to the Goldwater-Nichols Act becoming law in 1986, command authorities in the US military were a messy smorgasbord of service and other chains
Prior to the Goldwater-Nichols Act becoming law in 1986, command authorities in the US military were a messy smorgasbord of service and other chains
Yes but also no...SOCOM (really JSOC) has been running unilateral ops in CENTCOM and AFRICOM since shortly after 9/11
I'll do a thread on it later
I'll do a thread on it later
December 5, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Extremely informative thread on the operational chains of command for the Caribbean boat bombings, and the potential turf battles that may have contributed to Adm. Holsey's departure as SouthCom commander.
The "-terrorist" part of narco-terrorist is load-bearing in many ways.
The "-terrorist" part of narco-terrorist is load-bearing in many ways.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
It's time to talk to you about my cat.
Vital Cat Update
It’s time to talk about my cat. To which you might be saying, “Chuck, I didn’t know you had a cat!” and I’d respond with, “I didn’t know I had a cat either…
terribleminds.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:59 PM
It's time to talk to you about my cat.
They're getting desperate for something that isn't murder on the high seas
The Trump administration has quietly released its National Security Strategy — apparently late on Thursday. Usually there's a rollout and fanfare for these things: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov
December 5, 2025 at 4:52 AM
They're getting desperate for something that isn't murder on the high seas
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
i’ll die satisfied that we stomped them out
I will die with my blood boiling of sheer antipathy of these motherfuckers
December 5, 2025 at 4:39 AM
i’ll die satisfied that we stomped them out
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
there's a long understanding of certain disasters overriding immediate conflict, too. during Monte Cassino - an incredibly hard-fought and bloody battle - fighting stopped at least once when troops were buried in the collapse of a building and both sides helped dig the buried men out
And look, I say this as someone that has no problems with going after troops that are retreating—they're legitimate targets. But as quite a few people have pointed out (and it isn't an area I really know), being shipwrecked has a lengthy legal history of making you a protected class.
December 5, 2025 at 4:18 AM
there's a long understanding of certain disasters overriding immediate conflict, too. during Monte Cassino - an incredibly hard-fought and bloody battle - fighting stopped at least once when troops were buried in the collapse of a building and both sides helped dig the buried men out
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
speaking of drones: i've been reminded of an obama speech in 2013. the speech has its problems, but it's not even imaginable for this chest-thumping cruelty-driven admin to speak in complete sentences, let alone complex thought like this obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-of...
December 5, 2025 at 3:58 AM
speaking of drones: i've been reminded of an obama speech in 2013. the speech has its problems, but it's not even imaginable for this chest-thumping cruelty-driven admin to speak in complete sentences, let alone complex thought like this obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-of...
The Times clearly discusses the larger question.
“It is difficult to find people knowledgeable about the relevant body of law and not working for Mr. Trump who think the United States is really in an armed conflict.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
Second Strike Scrutiny Obscures Larger Question About Trump’s Boat Attacks
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:46 AM
The Times clearly discusses the larger question.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
“It is difficult to find people knowledgeable about the relevant body of law and not working for Mr. Trump who think the United States is really in an armed conflict.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
Second Strike Scrutiny Obscures Larger Question About Trump’s Boat Attacks
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:39 AM
“It is difficult to find people knowledgeable about the relevant body of law and not working for Mr. Trump who think the United States is really in an armed conflict.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Bigger picture, goes even stronger than expected identifying Western Hemisphere / Latin America as our #1 priority -- yes, above East Asia -- even implying significant reposturing of US military forces. Is not outright insulting to Asian allies like it is to the Europeans.
NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY DROPPED
There is a LOT here, but omg NATO allies are going to seethe at this paragraph
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
There is a LOT here, but omg NATO allies are going to seethe at this paragraph
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Bigger picture, goes even stronger than expected identifying Western Hemisphere / Latin America as our #1 priority -- yes, above East Asia -- even implying significant reposturing of US military forces. Is not outright insulting to Asian allies like it is to the Europeans.
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
Folks not very long from now are going to see these posts in their histories of the 2020s and will shout, "what the fuck was wrong these people?"
They’re killing people as a twitter joke. It’s depraved. Can’t let yourself lose the capacity to be appalled and disgusted and outraged by this.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announces another boat strike in response to a request/wish from Turning Point USA’s Andrew Kolvet.
December 5, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Folks not very long from now are going to see these posts in their histories of the 2020s and will shout, "what the fuck was wrong these people?"
Reposted by Cheryl Rofer
I had the absolute pleasure of joining @hcrichardson.bsky.social for a conversation yesterday: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N15L...
American Conversations: Zohran Mamdani
YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:25 PM
I had the absolute pleasure of joining @hcrichardson.bsky.social for a conversation yesterday: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N15L...