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The Barnes Brief: Friday, January 30, 2025
January 31, 2025
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Schedule

Past

Future

Book Recommendation: Why Nations Fail https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12158480-why-nations-fail?

Art of the Day: Night Warning, a poem by my sister referenced in my eulogy.

Tears are falling

From Heaven tonight

Cry for the homeless

Cry for the finite

Listen to the silent

Prodding to unite

In the pale moonlight

For death will have come

And gone at midnight

Stop while you can

Look for the light

Don’t sell your soul

For your birthright

Whispering Angels

Say Goodnight.

Wisdom of the Day: "Just Martha It." Coworkers of my sister, Martha. 

The Library

  1. RFK Hearing: Democrats Destroy Themselves
  2. Tulsi challenges Deep State
  3. Kash’s cinematic debut
  4. Nominee success
  5. DOJ FBI firings
  6. Peace possibilities
  7. Trump alternatives
  8. Democratic disarray
  9. Education disaster
  10. DEI died

Top 10 Cases TBD Sunday

  1. FBI Frameup
  2. FISA Unconstitutional
  3. New Orleans Sued
  4. 2nd Amendment Win
  5. Bureaucrats Sue Trump
  6. Democrats Sue Trump
  7. Sanctuary City Sued
  8. Right to Teach at Beach
  9. AI Copyright
  10. Porn Copyright Trolls

Closing Argument: My Eulogy for My Sister

  • Martha was the best of us, and always will be. My Whispering Angel is gone, but lives on in all that knew her.
  • I lay on the couch uncontrollably in distress when my sister Martha came into the living room. She asked what was wrong. I explained my life was over. She inquired gently why. I explained that the love of my life, Amy Davidson, was leaving. As she consoled me, she reminded me of critical context: I was 8 years old. As my young mind pondered it and reflected upon her proverbial wisdom, I realized maybe she was right; maybe my life wasn’t over quite yet.
  • I owe my success in life to her. As a teenager, she went to bat for me, believing in me beyond my own self-belief. She lobbied David Brock, of the candy company, to enroll me at the elite local private school as an 11thgrader with a full scholarship. I only found out later no student had ever been given a scholarship so late at the school. But her insistence couldn’t be denied, and she got me that scholarship. Unsurprising since as a five-year old, her little notes left in my Dad’s shoes to stop smoking convinced him to stop, likely extending his life by a decade or more, and giving me the chance to know him before his passing when I was 11. She then made a desk for me out of plywood and file cabinets, though no one knew her to be a carpenter by trade. It’s still my favorite desk to this day. I only survived because of her. After my Dad died, she went to work on double shifts and triple shifts at difficult jobs to make sure we could afford to stay in the home we lived.
  • She knew this community well, often gave me feedback on issues and topics, and truly appreciated this community’s concerns for her. A few months back, as she lay in a hospital bed aware she may not make it much longer, she took the time to call me as I lay in a hospital bed to encourage me. That is who she always was: encouraging us to seek the better angels of our nature, to care for family, to look out for friends, and to be our best selves. Her incorrigible smile put your heart at ease. Her coworkers turned her name into a verb: to solve a problem, to help someone in distress, to champion a cause against long odds – that was to “Martha” the problem. “Just Martha It.”
  • She was the best of us, and always will be. My Whispering Angel is gone, but lives on in all that knew her. Remember the next time you face distress, difficulty or long odds, to Just Martha It.
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Questions for Bourbon w/ Barnes: Wednesday, March 11, 2026

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The Barnes Brief: Weekend of March 6, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Art of the Week

  • Roulette wheel, around, around she goes, and where she ends, nobody knows. A line from a film favorite, The Good Thief. Einstein said it could only be beat in infinity, but as the character says in the film — Einstein didn’t believe in luck. The only game of chance I ever care to play, following the wisdom of my former client and old friend, Wesley Snipes: always bet on black. Let luck be a lady, and not abandon us yet. 

B. Recommendation of the Week

C. Wisdom of the Week

  • “If wars can be started by lies, then peace can be started by truth.” Julian Assange. 

D. Appearances

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. Trump kills MAGA. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-iran-war-has-ended-the-trump-coalition/
  2. Corny Cornyn. https://thefederalist.com/2026/03/05/10-times-john-cornyn-betrayed-trump-and-maga/
  3. Divorce Israel. https://prospect.org/2026/03/05/israel-america-alliance-iran-war-trump-rubio-netanyahu/
  4. Bye-bye One-Eyed McCain. https://unherd.com/newsroom/dan-crenshaw-lost-maga-voters-a-long-time-ago/?edition=us
  5. Delusions in Arabia. https://unherd.com/watch-listen/iran-strikes-expose-israels-permanent-war-doctrine/?edition=us

 *Bonus: Super Honey. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/scientists-make-a-super-honey-using-cocoa-bean-waste-for-chocolatey-heart-healthy-jolt/

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

  1. Wisdom. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7745503/here-s-the-simple-calculus-1-if-you-can-t-question-it-it-s-a-psyop-2-if-they-call-you
  2. Art every day. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7745081/title
  3. Proverb. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7745312/my-conclusion-is-revolution-from-above-only-benefits-those-above
  4. Prayers. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7744953/daily-morning-prayer-o-heavenly-father-forgive-us-of-our-sins-and-trespasses-give-president-trump
  5. Said it as well as anyone could. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7744989/robertbarnes-epic-fury-nah-more-like-epic-frustration

*Bonus: Chase Hughes truth. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7742399/great-quote-by-chase-hughes

C. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday

  1. SCOTUS: Asylum review. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-777_9ol1.pdf
  2. SCOTUS: State immunity. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1021_p860.pdf
  3. SCOTUS: Trans disclosures. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1021_p860.pdf
  4. Massie’s Iran War Resolution. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/38/text
  5. Trump tariffs challenged. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/dem-attorneys-general-sue-trump-tariffs-complaint.pdf
  6. Noem out. https://x.com/lukerosiak/status/2029613423592452409?s=20
  7. 9th Circuit affirms Trump on refugees. https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/05/25-1939.pdf
  8. 9th Circuit affirms judicial limits on immigration review. https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/05/24-4137.pdf
  9. Meta’s not so private glasses. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/bartone-vs-meta-complaint.pdf
  10. Tik Tok sale contested. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/public-integrity-project-tiktok-us-assets-sale-lawsuit-dc-circuit.pdf
  11. Win Against DEI. https://www.campusreform.org/article/judge-blocks-california-dei-speech-mandate/29494
  12. Zoning & county authority. https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/OpinionsPDFVersion/Majority%20Opinion%20-%20M2022-01562-SC-R11-CV.pdf.

*Bonus: Psychic fortune telling turns sour. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2026/03/04/professor-accused-murder-tiktoker-awarded-10m

**Bonus: Uber loses. https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/04/25-228.pdf

***Bonus: Not so honest sleep gummies. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/perkins-procter-ruling-030526.pdf

III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: The SAVE Act Is Constitutional

  • Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution provides for Congress to regulate Congressional elections, providing that the times, places and manner for holding state rules governing such elections to federal legislative office  “may at any time by law” be altered by Congress. 
  • Article IV, Section 2 provides that citizens of each state must be entitled all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states, while Article IV, Section 4 requires the federal government to”guarantee to every state” a “republican form of government.” 
  • Amendment XIV recognizes “the right to vote” for “citizens of the United States,” with Section 5 giving Congress the power to enforce.  
  • Amendment XV recognizes the “right of citizens of the United States to vote”, again affording Congress the power to enforce. 
  • Amendment XIX recognize again “the right of citizens of the United States to vote” and provides Congress the power to enforce.  
  • Amendment XXIV again reinforces “the right of citizens of the United States to vote” with Congress afforded power to enforce. 
  • Amendment XXVI again reinforces “the right of the citizens of the United States to vote” with Congress empowered to enforce. 
  • The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, the so-called SAVE Act, enforces these Constitutional protections and legislative powers. 
  • First, the SAVE Act does not purport to govern anything other than federal elections. 
  • Second, the SAVE Act focuses on limiting voting to “the citizens of the United States” with documentary proof required.
  • As such, the SAVE Act simply enforces the Constitutional protections for citizens the right to vote by assuring their vote isn’t diluted by non-citizens. 
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The Barnes Brief: Friday, February 27, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION

 

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The Barnes Brief: Weekend of February 20, 2026

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

C. Wisdom of the Week

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

D.  Appearances

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. 
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