I. INTRODUCTION

A.  Art of the Week

• When Picasso painted me before I was born, his portrait of famous patron saint of the arts, Ambroise Vollard. The painting struck my brother when he first saw it in person, as a biographical portrait of yours truly. The intensive, internal self-reflection expresses a true self-recognition. My favorite portrait to this day, even if only of me across the psychic plains of time and space.  

B.  Recommendation of the Week

• Reshore. The argument for using tariffs to reindustrialize America. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230408506-reshore

C. Wisdom of the Week

• “I am a tariff man, with a tariff plan, standing on a tariff platform.” President William McKinley. 

D.  Appearances

• LIVE w/ George Gammon https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7699318/george-gammon-interview
• LIVE w/ Daniel Davis https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7694824/live-w-lt-col-davis
• LIVE w/ Alex Jones
  

II. THE EVIDENCE

• A reminder: links are NOT endorsements of the authors or their interpretation of events, but intended to expand our library of understanding as well as expose ideas of distinct perspective to our own. 

A. Barnes Library: Curated Weekly Articles of Interest

1. 1776 Law Center Survey: War Vote Mirrors Midterms https://www.bigdatapoll.com/blog/democrats-expand-generic-ballot-lead-in-february/
2. Iran War risk. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/war-on-iran-is-the-opposite-of-realism/
3. Welfare state fraud. https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/the-democrats-fraud-problem
4. Utility battles. https://prospect.org/2026/02/19/blackstone-private-equity-utility-acquisition-new-mexico-public-service-txnm-energy/
5. Remembering Jessie Jackson. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/jesse-jackson-complicated-man/

*Bonus: Bald eagle rescued. https://abc7ny.com/post/nypd-officers-describe-rare-rescue-trapped-american-bald-eagle-icy-hudson-river-nyc/18616678/

B. Best of the Board: Five Fantastic Posts of the Week

1. Bill Brown’s comedic relief. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704528/title
2. Jonathan’s prayer. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704685/morning-daily-prayer-heavenly-father-i-thank-you-for-blessings-everyday-i-thank-you-for-my-beloved
3. Meme magic. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704745/title
4. Bountiful art. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704798/title
5. Board thoughts on Iran war. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7700010/board-poll-war-in-iran

*Bonus: Bondi mockery. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7703469/spotted-all-over-washington-dc-while-i-normally-don-t-share-the-political-views-of-people-in-dc

**Bonus: Weekly Wisdom. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704649/the-intersection-of-politics-youtube-commentary-and-critical-traffic-infrastructure-https-you

C. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday

1. SCOTUS: Tariffs. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf
2. Facebook trial. https://courthousenews.com/safety-was-someone-elses-problem-ex-facebook-vp-says-in-teen-social-media-trial/
3. Jury bias in Musk case. https://courthousenews.com/contempt-for-musk-clouds-jury-selection-in-twitter-takeover-trial/
4. Amazon death. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/amazon-nitrite-washington-supreme-court-2.pdf
5. Virginia redistricting stalls. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/tazewell-injunction.pdf
6. British ex-royal arrested. https://courthousenews.com/ex-prince-andrew-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sharing-sensitive-documents-with-epstein/
7. Firetruck monopoly. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mke-v-fire-truck-manufacturers.pdf
8. ICE churches. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/synod-v-dhs-ice-injunction.pdf
9. Tina Peters denied bond. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/people-tina-peters-order-bond.pdf
10. Slushie fraud. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/slush-puppie-forged-email-with-icee.pdf
11. The HP merger case. https://business.cch.com/ald/USvHewlettPackardEnterpriseCo122025.pdf
12. Tunney Act Trump DOJ risks. https://prospect.org/2025/07/29/2025-07-29-law-could-blow-open-trump-antitrust-corruption/

*Lobbyist disclosure laws. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/chapter-26

**Lobbying disclosure guidelines. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/resources/pdf/S1guidance.pdf

***Transanity in Canada. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704549/tribunal-ruling-out-of-british-columbia-canada

III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: Constitution Masterclass Series — Article I, Tariffs

• Article I, section 7 enumerates the power “for raising revenue” to the legislative branch of Congress, commencing with the House and continuing onto the senate. 
• Article I, section 8, clause 1 enumerates the power “to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
• Article I, section 8, clause 3 enumerates the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
• Article I, section  8, clause 5 enumerates the power to “fix the standard of weights and measures” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
• Article I, section 8, clause 10 enumerates the power to “define and punish” those “offenses against the law of nations” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
• Article I, section 8, clause 11, enumerates the power to “declare war” as well as “grant letters of marque and reprisal” and “make rules concerning captures on land and water,” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
• Article I, section 8, clause 18 enumerates the power to “make all laws” that “shall be necessary and proper” for effectuating those other enumerated powers itemized above in the tariff context. 
• Article I, section 10, clause 2 prohibits states from imposing any imposts or duties on imports or exports except as necessary for inspections. 
• In aggregate and in particular, the Constitution enumerates to the legislative branch the power to tariff. Hence, any claim of Presidential power to tariff must derive from delegated authorizations issued by Congress. This runs into the NonDelegation doctrine. 
• Article I, Section I enumerates “all legislative powers” must be exclusively “vested in a Congress” not the executive or judicial branch of government. Thus, the act of a tariff imposition by the President must be both exclusively authorized by Congress and not be a “legislative act” within the meaning of Article I, Section 1. That construction depends largely on the Supreme Court’s construal of it over time, which is beyond the plain text of the Constitution.  
• Short answer: had Trump stayed strictly within the tariff authorization delegations of Congress, and without looking like “making law” in the process, then his tariffs could win judicial assent. Trump’s failure to follow those guidelines — as advised to do by Commerce Secretary and Epstein Class graduate Howard Lutnick, whose sons profit billions from the court striking down the tariffs — buried his chance at tariff approval by the Supreme Court, unfortunately. 

I. INTRODUCTION

A.  Art of the Week

• All I want for Valentine's is Lady Justice. Archangel Michael delivering justice, as we need for those in the Epstein Class. 

B.  Recommendation of the Week

• Before Epstein Files, there was The Whistleblower. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9258131-the-whistleblower

C.  Wisdom of the Week

• “I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office.” Andrew Jackson. 

D.  Appearances

• LIVE w/ Alex Jones https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7681357/live-w-alex-jones
• LIVE w/ Nina Infinity
  
• LIVE w/ That Star Wars Girl
  

II. THE EVIDENCE

A reminder: links are NOT endorsements of the authors or their interpretation of events, but intended to expand our library of understanding as well as expose ideas of distinct perspective to our own. 

A. Barnes Library: Ten of the Top Curated Weekly Articles

1. The Epstein elite. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/unsettling-truths-epstein-files-reveal-about-power-and-privilege
2. Corruption of the academy. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/03/mellon-foundation-humanities-research-funding/685733/
3. Israel 1st wants to end Free Speech. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/02/13/is_free_speech_really_the_highest_value_153834.html
4. Nobody likes Newsom. https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/gavin-newsom-youre-no-bill-clinton
5. Hawley-Warren bill seeks to end monopoly in medicine. https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/senators-seek-to-smash-big-medicine
6. Polymarket grocery stores. https://unherd.com/newsroom/inside-polymarkets-free-public-grocery-store/
7. Security State. https://greenwald.substack.com/p/amazons-ring-and-googles-nest-unwittingly
8. Housing market woes. https://substack.com/home/post/p-187448844
9. Leverage risks. https://quoththeraven.substack.com/p/countdown-to-detonation-americas
10. Epstein network. https://epstein-doc-explorer-1.onrender.com

B. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday

1. Texas AG joins Dr. Bowden. https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Bowden%20Intervention%20(Filed)_0.pdf
2. Alex Jones sues. https://www.scribd.com/document/997131709/Alex-Jones-Amended-Counterclaim-for-Filing-In-The-United-States-Bankruptcy-Court-For-The-Southern-District-Of-Texas
3. Gail Slater removed. https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/trump-antitrust-chief-ousted-by-ticketmaster
4. I will sue Mike Davis. https://x.com/barnes_law/status/2022467828255768629?s=20
5. Wisconsin election integrity takes a loss. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/wisconsin-ballot-spoiling-ban-reversed.pdf
6. Texas election integrity gets a win. https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-50783-CV0.pdf
7. Two big 2A cases in 3rd. https://courthousenews.com/two-third-circuit-hearings-could-reshape-nations-second-amendment-rights/
8. Another TPS order blocked. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/african-communities-v-noem-mass-ruling.pdf
9. Epstein BOA suit goes forward. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/doe-v-bank-of-america-new-york-ruling.pdf
10. Dollar Tree death. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/max-antonio-garay-v-dollar-tree.pdf
11. Boasberg latest insanity. https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2025cv0766-247
12. Trump immigration win. https://www.phelps.com/a/web/r5pKxiJkFZ7QKozjTbS8V2/ca5detention.pdf

*Bonus: Livenation Ticketmaster Antitrust https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-industry-news/live-nation-doj-lawsuit-after-gail-slater-resignation-1236504011/

**Bonus: NCAAF eligibility suit. https://www.knoxnews.com/picture-gallery/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2026/02/13/joey-aguilar-eligibility-hearing-tennessee-vs-ncaa/88659399007/

***Bonus: AI plagiarism win. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/adelphi-university-ai-plagiarism-lawsuit-oh07enyz

C. Best of the Board: Ten of the Top Posts

1. Too much truth. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688284/best-explanation-of-our-two-party-system-benowen
2. Life on the line. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7687846/god-bless-and-protect-thomas-massie
3. Prayer & a cute dog. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688117/daily-prayer-2-0-heavenly-father-give-us-comfort-and-wisdom-allow-us-to-trust-your-judgement-and-y
4. Surf. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688060/pipeline-hawaii
5. Real diversity. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688513/title
6. Hush Hush ideas. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688104/robertbarnes-just-saw-a-news-article-talking-about-the-great-chicago-fire-being-started-by-communis
7. Wisdom. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7687331/title
8. Bill Brown Proverbs. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7686413/title
9. Truth. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7684892/title
10. My answer is Yes. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7687202/does-god-answer-your-prayers-i-ask-because-i-pray-everyday-whether-typed-down-here-or-mentally-reci

III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: Constitution Masterclass Series — Article I, Elections

• Article I, section 4 empowered the legislative branch of the federal government — the Congress — “may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations” otherwise set by the legislatures of the state governing the “elections for Senators and Representatives” except to the Places of chusing Senators, later modified by the Seventeenth Amendment. Each House can further be the “Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members” including the power to expel “with the Concurrence of two thirds.” The Constitution affords no express power to Congress to elect the President or elect those to state or local office. And remember, Article I powers are constricted to those “herein granted” explicitly within the Constitution. 
• Representatives must be “apportioned” amongst the States “according to their respective Numbers”, a determination made by “adding to the whole Number of free Persons” certain individuals no longer referenced after the Fourteenth Amendment. The “actual enumeration” of this apportionment “shall be made…within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.” The original intention was that there were at least one representative for “every thirty Thousand”.
• The Fourteenth Amendment modified these provisions by stating representatives be apportioned “to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed.” Of note, the provision also stripped representation of any state which limited Presidential electors beyond the limits of gender, age, citizenship, crime, or rebellion. 
• The Fifteenth Amendment modified these provisions further by providing a “right of citizens of the United States to vote” and that such a right could not be denied on basis of race. 
• The Seventeenth Amendment modified these provisions further by providing that the “people thereof” elect the Senators instead of the legislative branches of those state governments. 
• The Nineteenth Amendment modified the provisions even further by expanding the Fifteenth Amendment’s right of citizens to vote to women. 
• The TwentyFourth Amendment modified these provisions even further by holding the right of the citizens to vote in federal elections could not be limited based on taxes, including poll taxes. 
• The Twenty-Sixth Amendment expanded these voting rights to include those 18 years of age or older that are citizens. 
• Each of these Amendments repeated: “the right citizens of the United States to vote” as the entire premise of these Amendments to the Constitution for governing elections. Yet, somehow, the courts held in 2020 no such right existed to even afford standing to request judicial relief from stolen elections for the highest office in the land, and even when brought between states for the only nationally elected office? 

I.   INTRODUCTION

A.   Art of the Week

·      One of the first superb memes for the Brief, recollecting a device many youngsters might not even recognize: the old typewriter, with its diligent use of the keys that moved like a an old cash register before recording its mark onto the page, and the ever needful Whiteout to fix the inevitable error, stacking the pages neatly somewhere nearby because once lost, never recovered. A time when writing required a different kind of dedication.

B.   Wisdom of the Week

·      “Civility is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.” President John Kennedy.

C.   Recommendation of the Week

·      Current book club reading over at People’s Pundit on the important virtue of a return to civil society. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17974854-our-virtuous-republic

D.  Appearances of the Week

·      Chatting w/ Stanislav.

II.   The Evidence

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