VivaBarnesLaw
Politics • Culture • News
This is the VivaBarnesLaw Community.
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
November 23, 2023
Thanksgiving contemplations

Hi everyone,

It's Thanksgiving. My second Thanksgiving in America. I'm getting ready to go fishing with my dad, kid, kid's best friend. And my dad's best friend! A lawyer with whom he has worked for decades. A great guy and something of a "bad influence" - though I have found that as you get older, "bad influences" are actually good in that they keep you young and alive. At least the "bad influences" are good influences when they're actually good, and not just bad. Viva for the tautology.

We're going on a boat. I think my dad got jealous when he saw the Mahi-Mahi catch & cook video. 😂

I never appreciated how big Thanksgiving is in America. It's more celebrated than Christmas in Canada, thought that doesn't say much given Canada descent into Communism (not literally, but pretty darn close).

I like to think that I am permanently grateful for what I have - good health (touch wood), a loving family (touch wood), and having found my ikagai. I am thankful every day, but the collective celebration of Thanksgiving enhances my psychological "conflict" (for lack of a better word).

The words of "Desiderata" have always been particularly powerful to me. At least these in particular: "If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter. For always there will be greater and lesser persons that yourself".

When it comes to gratitude, I have trouble peacefully appreciating my good fortune because I do compare myself to others. But not in the vanity sense - in the sense of what right do I have to be grateful for my good fortune when, but for the grace of G-d, everything could be different.

When I was a kid, I rolled a Suburban in a car accident. Car was totalled. My best friend and I walked away with a minor bruise on our hips from the seat belt.

When I was a kid, I knew someone who also rolled a car (actually a friend of a friend). They weren't wearing their seatbelts. They slid through the sunroof and the car landed on their head. But for the grace of G-d. One decision can alter the course of one's existence. Or end it entirety.

I have difficulty feeling gratitude without also feeling guilt. Why me? Others have worked just as hard, tried to be just as good people, and but for a butterfly flapping its wings, their lives are wildly different.

And this is not what the kids call a "humble flex". The guilt of gratitude is also coupled with a certain degree of selfishness. I am not greedy, but the gratitude for good fortune is also juxtaposed to the fear of losing what you have. I know I would be just as good with less. I would be grateful for whatever I have. But there is that underlying fear that comes along with having things that can be lost or taken away. So I try to be thankful with that internal turmoil simultensouly churning like a tornado.

All that to say, I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Health and happiness to you all! Strength for whatever we all are going through. And hope for the future. This too shall pass, and to quote another another line from Lazyboy (which is from Desiderata):

"But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle to yourself. With all its sham drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world".

Happy Thanksgiving!
-Viva

(nor proofreading cuz the fish are calling!!!)

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
At a show with kid and her friends

We’re at a small show in Florida. Daughter and her friends wanted to go. I get to drive and attend the show. Small venue, reminds me of a place called Cafe Campus in Montreal I used to go to for blues shows.

It really seems that everyone in America is taller than me. 😂

00:00:15
Canada Recognizes "Throuples"

And now 3 married men are adopting a baby girl.

Only in Canada.

00:09:03
September 30, 2025
This is actually wild…

Remember that story of the guy who unleashed two smoke bombs at the Shaun Feucht religious concert in Montreal? In the church…

Alexa Lavoie of rebel news actually found the alleged perpetrator.

He works for the federal government in national defense! And he has strong alleged antifa ties.

Watch the full report. Put this on absolute blast!

00:00:40
February 17, 2024
Appearance on Richard Syrette

I did a quick hit on Richard Syrette yesterday. Gotta keep Canadians apprised of the U.S. madness.

Appearance on Richard Syrette
The Barnes Brief, Podcast Format: Monday, July 17, 2023

Closing Argument: Birthright citizenship is deeply American, and wholly Constitutional.

The Barnes Brief, Podcast Format: Monday, July 17, 2023
Declaration of Independence

Audio podcast style.

Declaration of Independence
Questions for Bourbon w/ Barnes: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Ask in replies and answering Live at 9ish eastern tonight. All 30+coin tipped questions will be answered, along with the most liked questions and a random cross-section of comments and questions in the live chat.

Questions for Bourbon with Barnes: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Ask in replies and answering Live at 9ish eastern tonight.

post photo preview
The Barnes Brief: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Art of the Day 

Venezia. The city of seduction and romance, of masked balls and cinematic backdrops, where quiet back-alley restaurants and boutique shops await for you to uncover and discover, as the magic of this modern-day Atlantis invites at every turn. Arrive at the airport to an awaiting long wooden boat across the water to the city dancing with the sea, and dance amidst the history and beauty of ancient Cathedrals, in handmade shoes from the world’s greatest shoemakers. My favorite city to visit.  

B. Wisdom of the Day

“War does not determine who is right – only who is left.” Bertrand Russell.

C. Cultural Recommendation

Bitter Fruit: history of American interventions in creating the Banana Republics of our southern neighbors. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/102729.Bitter_Fruit?

 

 *Note: A reminder — links below are NOT endorsements of the ideas contained therein. The Library is big, and it often consists of ideas I do not personally share.  

 

Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
Read full Article
post photo preview
The Barnes Brief: Monday, September 29, 2025

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Art of the Day 

Banksy’s brilliance, the pseudonymous muralist of public walls worldwide,  masterfully expresses the opposition to war, with the simplest of images: a little girl holding a bomb, and demanding NO.

B. Wisdom of the Day

Foreign war is nothing more than "the blood of many being shed to enrich a few.” William Jennings Bryan.

C. Cultural Recommendation

War is a Racket by the legendary General. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201300863-war-is-a-racket

 *Note: A reminder — links are NOT endorsements of the ideas contained therein. The Library is big, and it mostly consists of ideas I do not personally share.  

 

Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
Read full Article
post photo preview
The Barnes Brief: Weekend of September 26, 2025

I. INTRODUCTION

 A. Art of the Day 

Greatest song ever, at least on college football Saturdays in Knoxville, where you can drink your corn from a jar.

B. Wisdom of the Day

“If you believe all the information out there about millennials, you’d have to conclude we had multiple personalities.” Charlie Kirk.

C. Cultural Recommendation

Corbett exposes state psychology.

D. Appearances

 *Note: A reminder — links are NOT endorsements of the ideas contained therein. The Library is big, and it mostly consists of ideas I do not personally share.  

 

Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals