The Tomahawk flap (or flop)

Reporter: ‘Why did President Trump say yesterday that Iran may have Tomahawk missiles when there are only 3 other US allies, plus the US, that have those missiles?’

White House spokesperson Leavitt: ‘I know there’s been a lot of speculation in the media about who may be responsible for this’.

These Tomahawk first-strike attack cruise missiles were loaded on US Navy Aegis destroyers (the kind made at Bath Iron Works shipyard here in Maine) and fired at the girls school in Iran killing about 175 kids and adults.

Trump has ridiculously tried to pin this genocidal act on Iran which indicates his level of dishonesty and mental illness.

The Pentagon uses Palantir’s system to process data from satellites, surveillance platforms and intelligence networks to draw up target lists and to prioritize targets. Such reliance on AI automates the machinery of war and increases the likelihood of catastrophic errors. Palantir hauls in a boatload of tax dollars for this ugly work. Taxpayers should be screaming!

It was either an example of an AI fuck up or it was an intentional attack. I'd not be surprised by either possibility.

High-tech war fighting will never be foolproof. On the other hand the US-Israel zionist war machine has shown a proclivity for killing kids in Palestine. So why not in Iran? They are just Muslims, US muscleman Hegseth likely thinks.

Either way it is a bad story line for Trump's 'war dept'. That is why he quickly tried to pin it on Iran which everyone on the planet found damn well absurd and chickenshit. Right now Trump and the Pentagon are showing their arse to the world.

The Gulf monarchs are not happy after allowing Washington to use its bases in their 'nations' for the preemptive attacks on Iran. They were hit back - hard - by Tehran. The US left them all hanging out to dry with no real protection. Now their small gold mine fake countries are hurting bad.

I wonder if the Qatar royal family is regretting giving Trump a luxury Boeing 747 jumbo jet in May 2025. How did that bribe work out?

Bruce 

PS I hate these 'secret briefings' in Congress. They should be public so the owners of the country - the public - can hear the dirty details.

Time to help defend Cuba!

CUBA! NOW IS THE TIME

Cuba is under US siege and so too is Cuban healthcare. MAINE FRIENDS OF CUBA asks Maine people and everyone else, anywhere, to lend a hand.

US political leaders want to finish off Cuba’s government. An executive order on January 29 imposed tariffs on any nation shipping oil to Cuba. Cubans now face a total oil blockade. The US Navy enforces it. Reports indicate Cuba’s oil reserves will run out during March.

Cuba’s own oil production and solar-generated energy accounts for almost half of Cuba’s energy needs. The rest comes from imported oil and there’s no more of that.  

This oil blockade tops off 65 years of a cruel, illegal, and immoral US economic, commercial, and financial blockade. Its reach is worldwide. In Cuba now, streets are empty of traffic, shops and production units are closed, food is costly and scarce, pharmacy shelves are bare, healthcare is badly impaired – and Cubans are dying.

Chuck Idelson of National Nurses United refers to a “rising mortality rate among the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. He points out that more than 32,000 pregnant women are classified as being at high risk. Infant deaths have risen from 4.0 per 1000 births in 2018, to 6.3 in 2022, to 7.1 in 2024, to 14 deaths per 1000 in early 2026. 

It’s war. Economic sanctions like the US economic blockade of Cuba are lethal. A study reported recently in the Lancet medical journal shows that worldwide, since 1950, “unilateral sanctions were associated with an annual toll of 564,258 deaths.” This is “similar to the global mortality burden associated with armed conflict.”  

Cuba is unified and fighting back. And so too are Maine people. Maine Friends of Cuba joins solidarity organizations everywhere and nations that care. We are asking you to join with us and many others in helping Cuba repair and restore her remarkable healthcare system.

Maine Friends of Cuba is not alone. Global Health Partners launched its Cuban Medical Project in 1994 to “pierce the illegal U.S. embargo and provide large-scale assistance to the country’s public health system.” The organization writes that, “You helped us send six million Covid vaccination syringes and 795 cardiac pacemakers to Cuba along with more than $275 million worth of desperately needed medicines and surgical equipment.” 

Now Global Health Partners is promoting “an innovative, neonatal and maternal healthcare project to bring down the country’s fast-rising infant mortality rate.”  The effort, “launched in partnership with Cuba’s Health Ministry, is a pilot project slated for replication across the island. We’re beginning with two targeted hospitals.” 

Global Health Partners says that “A generous GHP friend is contributing a $100,000 startup match to meet this urgent need. For every dollar we commit to this exciting project, they’ll match it — making your gift go twice as far.”

Lend a hand to Cuba!

Global Health Partners has a U.S. Commerce Department license to send medical supplies to Cuba. You can make an immediate tax-deductible donation to GHP at www.ghpartners.org  Or send your check to Global Health Partners at 39 Broadway, Suite 1540, New York, NY 10006. (“Sutures” on the memo line)

We of Maine Friends of Cuba urge anyone reading this plea to send a donation – whatever you can – to Global Health Partners. Lend a hand to a neighbor in need. Break the U.S. siege of this island nation. Honor Cuba’s achievement against all odds of ensuring the basic needs of every Cuban. Say no to U.S. bullying and U.S. violations of international law.    

Please email us at tomwhit3557@gmail.com with any questions you have about this solicitation and about Cuba. And let us know that you donated – so we can see how we are doing. Thank you.

  Petition to the Maine Congressional Delegation

We condemn recent U.S. war making, in particular assault on Iran (February 28, 2026), attack on Venezuela and abduction of President Nicolás Maduro (January 3, 2026), and oil blockade of Cuba (January 29, 2026) – preceded by 65 years of economic blockade.

We call on our legislators to:

·  Enact an effective War Powers Resolution and return to principles of sovereign equality as mandated by Article 2 of the UN Charter

·  Halt unauthorized military operations against Iran.

·  End the fuel blockade of Cuba (Executive Order 14380); prevent humanitarian catastrophe there.

·  Repeal lethal economic sanctions targeting civilian populations and violating international law.

·  Restore diplomatic relations based on mutual respect and international law.

Name (Printed)	Signature	Town	Date

Petition sponsors are Maine Friends of Cuba and Public Interest Forum of Maine. Please return signed petitions to Maine Friends of Cuba, c/o project coordinator, Tom Whitney at tomwhit3557@gmail.com or 102 Twitchell Rd., South Paris, ME 04281. (207) 743-2183. Thank you. 

Watch what Netanyahu said in 1980

“We control the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Congress, and we have a strong Jewish lobby on our side. America will not force us to do anything.”

Things have not changed much since 1980. Israel controls Washington (and the media) more than ever.

And Trump today....The US does not mind 'Greater Israel' but Iran 'may not be allowed' to live in peace.

Epstein’s party buddy lies about ‘Iran bombing its own school with a Tomahawk’ was picked apart by a journalist.

Voices inside Iran

An Iranian woman (not journalist) interviewed other Iranians who joined the daily condemnations of the US/Israeli attacks.

She interviewed both religious as well as non-religious, including a woman who even participated in the anti-government protests, but isn’t a traitor to her country. 

• The U.S. military has lost two more MQ-9 Reaper drones during "Operation Epic Fury" in Iran, bringing the total to 11 drones lost so far, according to CBS News, citing U.S. officials. The total cost for 11 Reaper drones is more than $330 million.
• According to The Wall Street Journal, some of Trump’s advisers are secretly urging him to plan an exit from the war with Iran, fearing that rising oil prices, declining public support, and potential political backlash could harm him and the Republicans. They want him to portray the military operation as already successful and to begin ending it before it turns into a prolonged conflict.  
• Officials reported that the Pentagon spent about $5.6 billion on munitions in the first two days of U.S. strikes on Iran. The high cost is raising concerns in Congress that the military is quickly depleting limited stocks of advanced weapons. The Trump administration is expected to request tens of billions in additional funding from Congress to continue the campaign. 
• Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Ghalibaf: “We are absolutely NOT seeking a ceasefire. We believe the aggressor must be struck in the mouth so that it learns a lesson and never again even thinks of attacking dear Iran. The Zionist regime sees its disgraceful survival in the continuation of the cycle of ‘war–negotiation–ceasefire, and then war again’ in order to consolidate its dominance. We will break this cycle.”

Message to former Shah of Iran's son

Iranian woman from Tehran has a message for Reza Pahlavi:

“The reason I’m here is, first, the territorial integrity of my country; then our sovereignty. We won’t let any foreign power dictate terms to us. And we will continue the path of our dear leader, Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

I have a message for Reza Palani: Reza, the donkey-saddle idiot, who’s the toy-pawn of Netanyahu & Trump. 

Just like it wasn’t destined for Umar ibn Sa’d to eat the wheat of Ray, you too will never set foot in Iran, in Tehran. We won’t allow it. 

I’ve got one piece of advice for you: Keep eating the money you stole from us and took to the West—which you’ve been living off it for 50 years; keep doing it, because you will never set foot in Iran ever again. 

Being Trump’s and the Zionists’ slave suits you. You will never step in Seyyed Ali’s footsteps. We won’t allow it.”

A chilling reminder of the deceit & violence of Iraq war

This film 'Official Secrets' is a true story. It's now airing on Netflix and I urge folks to watch it.

'Official Secrets,' which opened in 2019, is the best movie ever made about how the Iraq War happened. It’s startlingly accurate, and because of that, it’s equally inspiring, demoralizing, hopeful, and enraging. 

It’s been mostly forgotten now, but the Iraq War and its abominable consequences — the hundreds of thousands of deaths, the rise of  ISIS terrorism, the nightmare oozing into Syria, arguably the presidency of Donald Trump — almost didn’t happen. 

In 2003, as politicians in Britain and the US scheme to invade Iraq, GCHQ translator Katharine Gun leaks a classified e-mail that urges spying on members of the UN Security Council to force through the resolution to go to war. 

Charged with breaking the Official Secrets Act, and facing imprisonment, Katharine and her lawyers set out to defend her actions. With her life, liberty and marriage threatened, she must stand up for what she believes in…   

During this present Iran war - packed with lies, distortions and evil boasts of killing by the US and Israel - this 2019 film reveals the kind of ugly twists and turns that are regularly used to pull the wool over the public's eyes. 

Now and then a principled person stands against the dark wall of endless war. 

Protest at UK airbase hosting U.S. bombers for Iran attack

BBC 

Anti-war protest at RAF base being used by US

Dozens of demonstrators have been protesting outside RAF Fairford, which is being used by US forces as a base to strike Iran.

A US bomber capable of carrying 24 cruise missiles landed at the Gloucestershire site on Friday and three more arrived earlier.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently approved the use of UK bases for "defensive" US action against Iranian missile sites.

Liz Maison Pierre and Lorna Dixon were among the 50 to 60 protesters at RAF Fairford. They said they believed "a lot of people are going gung-ho into this war without any thought".

"Starmer needs to stand up and say, 'No, don't use our bases'," they added.

Chris Cole – from Drone Wars UK, an organisation that stands against armed drones – was part of the group.

He said: "It's important people stand up and say no to what's going on. We're out here to say on behalf of the public that we disagree with this." 

Update: Three more B-1 bombers arrived at Fairford Monday night. This brings the current number of heavy bombers at the base to eleven: three B-52 and eight B-1.

Melting economy - only $$$ for war

As the Iran war rages on, global markets including US assets are melting down. 

The financial panic has begun as investors grapple with the potential collapse of GDP and a horrific inflationary word thanks to a new forever oil crisis.

Is this coming crisis part of Mr. Big's engineered plan? Collapse the US economy, force digital money, hand our military (the only thing that would likely be funded) over to Israel. 

The war machine to build Greater Israel.  

War zone updates

• Demonstration in the German capital, Berlin, opposing the aggression against Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine. 

• Western governments and Arab monarchies are increasingly isolated as their populations firmly understand what is going on with this war on Iran. 

• Macron called Iran today and told them to cease and desist. French leadership, like in the US, is a flat joke. 

• Protests in the Cypriot capital Nicosia called for the closure of British military bases following Iranian attacks, with demonstrators rejecting the transformation of their country into a platform for wars, describing the British presence as "bases of death". 

• Brent crude rises again, exceeding $109 per barrel.
• Pentagon is disguising the deaths and injuries of military and CIA personnel during this war. Trump fears letting the truth be heard by the American people. 
• Reports out of Germany say 650 Americans dead or injured – among those that are flown to Germany for medical assistance.
• IDF is having a rough time in Lebanon. Israel's military is now over extended and worn out. Many reserves who have been called up are refusing to fight.
• Reports that Israel wants to false flag missile attack Al Quds, blame Iran and in such a way cause strife between Sunni and Shia.
• US State Department orders diplomats in Saudi Arabia to return home. 
• Israel threatens to kill Iran’s new supreme leader.
• The cost of gas in Europe has risen by almost 70%. The Ukrainian Nazi regime has been carrying out attacks on the Druzhba pipeline as a means to impose an energy blockade on Hungary and Slovakia. 
• Venezuela to ‘put up statue of Trump as great liberator’ says US Interior Secretary Burgum.
• It appears that the US is evacuating its Air Force refueling tankers from its Saudi Arabia base. These tankers had been supporting bombing operations in Iran, and now they have been evacuated to Europe, out of Prince Sultan Airbase. The evacuation comes after intense attacks on the base last night.
• Britain has just two days' worth of natural gas in storage, sparking fears of a shortage crisis as the Middle East conflict shut down the world's largest gas facility and Iran closed a key shipping channel.
• On the first day of war when the US bombed a girls school killing 175, it has now been disclosed that Navy Aegis destroyers fired four Tomahawk cruise missiles at the school.
• Massive rallies in Iran continue in support of the leaders of their nation. Does Trump have this kind of support?

Keep paddling,

Bruce 

Monthly peace protest held in Brunswick, Maine

Click on the photos for a better view

We had 25 folks come from up and down Maine yesterday on a cold, wet and misty afternoon. Our hour long monthly protest vigil held in Brunswick was our 2nd time at this spot this week. It's the busiest intersection in the town and a key north-south roadway (US1).

Our signs and banners reflected our concerns over Iran, Palestine, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the growing cost of endless US war$. When he ran for president in the last election Trump promised that he would not start any new wars. But it has become obvious that his need to distract the world from the Epstein files has made him desperate to change the news cycle.

So far Trump says only six US military personnel have lost their lives in this latest madness with its zionist partner Israel. But word coming from sources in West Asia suggest that several hundreds of US GI's have been killed and wounded. Several F-15 jets have been shot down, expensive MQ-9 intel drones have also been knocked out of the sky over Iran, but the corporate media is keeping all of that quiet.

We've been on the streets every month at busy intersections in different Maine communities since early in 2022. Today we felt it was the most positive response to our presence that we've yet witnessed. People are increasing angry over this insanity. And the public fears our growing economic collapse.

Fuel costs are rising. Most Mainers heat with oil-based furnaces and its getting expensive. Food costs are off the charts. The pot holes in our roads are massive after our harsh winter and the state does not have the funds to fix most of them. Rental housing has become very expensive and the cost of purchasing a home is beyond the reach of most people. And job lay-offs this past month soared.

So spending $1 billion a day on this misbegotten war on Iran is hitting home for most Mainers. Sadly our political leaders (from both parties) don't have a hell of alot to say about any of these problems. Most of them take money from AIPAC, the weapons industry, big Pharma and Wall Street.

Aegis destroyers firing missiles

Before the protest yesterday in Brunswick, MB and I drove the 10 miles to the city of Bath for an early Lenten season protest vigil at Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard where Navy Aegis destroyers are built. These warship are loaded with first-strike cruise missiles and interceptor missiles to take out any retaliatory strikes on the ships. These warships are now accompanying the Pentagon's aircraft carriers harassing Iran. They are currently working on six of these new destroyers at BIW.

Eight of us went to lunch after the Brunswick protest and reviewed the day as well as sharing our thoughts on what comes next with Iran. 

Anyway we cut it the US and Israel are dangerous fascist colonial aggressors that are failing in their arrogant desire to control the world's energy markets. We agreed that our continued protests are a top priority in all of our lives.

Our next monthly peace vigils will be held in downtown Farmington on April 11 and Lewiston on May 2 (Corner of Main & Lincoln Streets next to Veterans Park) - both at 1:30 pm.

In peace,

Bruce  

Photos by MB Sullivan 

What is real poetry?

Gil Scott Heron (may he rest in peace) takes us on a poetic journey to consider what good poetry is or is not.

Mainstream poetry has long been defined by the ruling cultural elites as superior. Even if you could not understand it. You just were not 'sophisticated' enough.

Heron challenges us to consider how street poetry goes against the 'intellectual' grain and is more relevant to the lives of people in his community.

He gives some examples. 

Sunday song (with bonus)