VivaBarnesLaw
Politics • Culture • News
This is the VivaBarnesLaw Community.
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?

"Israel has begun limiting its use of its most advanced missile interceptors as ongoing Iranian barrages strain stockpiles, forcing the military to increasingly rely on upgraded but less capable systems, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Friday.

The shift comes as the war enters its fourth week, with Iran continuing near-daily launches of ballistic missiles and drones. In recent days, two Iranian missiles struck the southern cities of Dimona and Arad after interception attempts using modified, lower-tier systems failed.

Israeli air defenses, long regarded as among the most sophisticated in the world, have until now leaned heavily on the Arrow system to counter long-range ballistic threats. However, officials are now conserving these high-end interceptors, turning instead to enhanced versions of David’s Sling and even Iron Dome for threats they were not originally designed to handle...."
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-891460


"Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian is reportedly clashing with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief Ahmad Vahidi over the economic and social impact of the war with the United States and Israel, Iran International reported on Saturday, citing Iranian sources.

According to the London-based Iranian opposition outlet, Pezeshkian criticized the IRGC's approach of increasing tensions in the region and attacking neighbouring countries, warning of the long-term effects that these movements could cause on the Iranian economy.

The report also mentioned that Pezeshkian has been demanding that executive decisions regarding the war be made by the Iranian government rather than the IRGC, a demand Vahidi did not accept.

In response, the IRGC criticized Pezeshkian's inability to implement structural reforms in the Islamic Republic to address several problems within the system before the current war began. The report comes as Iran’s already dying economy keeps being pushed toward full collapse after several weeks of war. Food prices are rising not only day by day, but hour by hour, with some staples increasing by at least 50 percent compared to pre-war levels.

At the same time, the disruption of internet access has halted many services. Factories and production facilities are facing acute shortages of raw materials, and the country’s administrative system has been severely impaired.

According to figures cited by state-affiliated institutions and some economists, more than 40% of the population now lives below the absolute poverty line, with that figure exceeding 50% in the capital.

Iran International reported, citing messages from several government employees, that the salaries and benefits of a large segment of employees have not been paid regularly over the past three months."
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891479


"IDF officials believe around 70% of the components of Iran’s military industry have already been damaged, and that the goal is to raise that figure to roughly 90% within days, a senior military officer said on Saturday

According to the officer, the campaign has targeted surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile infrastructure, defense ministry production sites, ballistic systems manufacturing facilities, and a headquarters involved in developing naval weapons, Walla reported.

The officer said the strikes were designed not only to inflict immediate operational damage but also to weaken the Iranian regime’s future production capacity through economic disruption. The report said some of the targeted facilities were also used to supply Hamas and Hezbollah...."
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-891471


"The Pentagon is preparing for a ground operation against Iran that could last weeks if US President Donald Trump decides to attack Tehran by ground, The Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing US officials.

According to the report, any operation would not involve a full-scale invasion but would instead focus on special operations missions and specific infantry ground operations.

The report also mentions that, due to the high risk that these operations would represent for American soldiers, it was unclear as of Saturday night if Trump would approve of such an operation..."
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891481


"Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, which have targeted the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq more than 400 times, escalated their attacks on Saturday, targeting the regional president Nechirvan Barzani's house.

The attack has been condemned by France and also by Baghdad, and Iran has also distanced itself from the incident. It comes days after Iran launched missiles at Kurdish Peshmerga in Iraq, killing six Kurds. The Peshmerga are the armed forces of the Kurdistan autonomous region..."
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-891478


"At least 19 people were injured near Beit Shemesh following a launch from Iran towards central Israel on Saturday afternoon. Israeli emergency services reported that several homes and a synagogue were damaged in Moshav Eshtaol as a result of the fall. About 10 homes and dozens of cars were damaged as a result of the impact..."
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-891463


"Nearly a month into Operation Roaring Lion, Israel’s military campaign against Iran continues to escalate, even as diplomatic efforts appear increasingly uncertain.

Hosting The Deep Dive, studio manager Shifra Jacobs noted that the IDF has struck thousands of targets since the start of the operation, including key intelligence and military infrastructure.

Israeli officials report a significant degradation in Iran’s missile capabilities, though continued barrages suggest the threat remains far from neutralized. Jacobs noted the emotional toll and casualties Israel has taken, as missile strikes have hit civilian areas, including in Arad and Dimona. Meanwhile, tensions have expanded beyond Iran. In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces targeted positions linked to Hezbollah, amid reports that the Lebanese army failed to disarm the group. Rocket fire from Lebanon into northern Israel has intensified, prompting discussions within Israel about a broader strategic shift. On the diplomatic front, a US-backed proposal aimed at ending the conflict has stalled. The plan reportedly called on Iran to halt uranium enrichment and cease support for regional proxies, demands that Tehran rejected as excessive. Conflicting messaging from Washington, including statements by Donald Trump, has added to the uncertainty surrounding the prospects for a ceasefire..."
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/article-891404


"The police arrested at least 18 people during protests on Saturday night against the war with Iran, as they had to use force to break up the demonstrations in several major cities.

Thousands of people demonstrated at three main rallies across the country, in Tel Aviv at Habima Square, in Haifa near the Horev Center, and in Jerusalem at Paris Square.

This is the first time that anti-government organizations participated in protests against the war, after smaller demonstrations were earlier held by far-left groups...."
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-891473


"The Israel Defense Forces assessed on Saturday that it would finish targeting nearly all of Iran’s key military industry sites in the coming days, as the war hit its one-month anniversary, and Vice President JD Vance suggested that Washington would soon begin winding down its fight against the Islamic Republic.

The remarks came against the backdrop of heavy airstrikes over Iran, which the IDF said had targeted, among other things, the headquarters of the regime’s Marine Industries Organization, tasked with the production of naval weapons and vessels.

IDF spokesman Effie Defrin said at a press conference on Saturday evening that “within a few days” the military would finish targeting all of the “critical” assets of Iran’s military production industries...."
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-almost-done-targeting-critical-iranian-military-sites-as-waves-of-strikes-hit-tehran/


"
Two soldiers were seriously wounded and seven others were moderately hurt during clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Friday and overnight into Saturday, Israel Defense Forces said, as the terror group continued to pound northern Israel with rocket and drone attacks.

In an incident on Friday, two officers were injured by anti-tank missile fire during an engagement with Hezbollah operatives. One of the soldiers was seriously wounded and the second was moderately injured, the military said. In a separate incident overnight, an officer was seriously wounded and six troops were moderately hurt by Hezbollah rocket fire in southern Lebanon...."
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-soldiers-seriously-hurt-in-lebanon-clashes-as-hezbollah-rockets-and-drones-pound-north/


" Iranian authorities have ordered the closure of a popular chain of Tehran cafes over designs on its takeaway cups deemed to be referring to the killing of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the start of the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic, media reports said Saturday.

The reports by Iranian news agencies did not give further details. But Persian-language media based outside Iran said the controversial design for customers at the Lamiz chain of cafes showed an empty chair which was seen by authorities as a comment on Khamenei’s killing and the failure of his son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei to appear in public since being named.

Branches of Lamiz in Tehran have been shuttered and sealed on the orders of the judiciary, the Tasnim and Mehr news agencies reported...."
https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-shuts-down-popular-tehran-coffee-shop-chain-over-suspicious-cup-designs/


" Demonstrators decrying US President Donald Trump’s policies took to city streets across the country on Saturday in the third edition of the “No Kings” rallies which organizers hoped would be the largest single-day protest in US history.

More than 3,200 events were planned in all 50 states and several cities outside the US. The two previous No Kings events attracted millions of participants.

Saturday’s events come amid what organizers said was a call to action against the bombing campaign that the US and Israel launched in Iran on February 28 in a bid to destabilize its regime and destroy its nuclear and ballistic missile programs...."
https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-kings-anti-trump-rallies-take-place-across-us-amid-anger-over-iran-war/


"An Iranian attack on a base in Saudi Arabia has wounded at least 12 American soldiers, two of them seriously, US media reported Friday.

Iran has kept up retaliatory attacks on Gulf nations it accuses of serving as a launchpad for US strikes on the regime, which began in a joint operation with Israel on February 28.

The attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia included at least one missile and several drones, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unidentified officials..."
https://www.timesofisrael.com/12-us-troops-wounded-2-seriously-in-iranian-attack-on-saudi-base-report/


"The exiled son of Iran’s last shah, Reza Pahlavi, earned thunderous applause from a packed conference hall of US conservatives on Saturday as he urged Washington to press its military campaign against Tehran.

Speaking to a raucous audience in Texas, Pahlavi cast the war as a historic opportunity to topple Iran’s clerical leadership, drawing cheers with a vision of his country transformed from an adversary of the United States into an ally.

“Can you imagine Iran going from ‘Death to America’ to ‘God Bless America?'” he asked the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference in the Dallas suburbs, prompting one of several standing ovations...."
https://www.timesofisrael.com/urging-us-to-stay-the-course-in-iran-exiled-prince-wins-ovation-from-conservatives/


"A regional diplomatic source familiar with the contacts between the US and Iran said Washington had rejected an Iranian demand for a full ceasefire even before Tehran delivers an official response to the American proposal. According to the source, Iran asked for a delay of five to seven days in order to formulate an agreed position within the regime's leadership, and demanded that the fighting be halted during that time. President Donald Trump rejected the request for a ceasefire at this stage, but granted several additional days within the framework of the American ultimatum, which stands at 10 days, during which Iran is required to respond to the proposal.

Behind the US refusal is a clear position that the fighting should not be halted without a prior Iranian commitment to basic conditions. According to diplomatic sources, Israel and the Gulf states are working in close coordination with Washington to prevent an early ceasefire that would not include such commitments, chief among them dismantling key components of the nuclear program, placing enriched material under international supervision, and imposing significant restrictions on the missile array...."
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/03/28/us-rejects-irans-ceasefire-request/


"Some 3,500 sailors and Marines arrived in the Middle East, US Central Command said. The force includes the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, which carries fighter jets, transport aircraft and amphibious vehicles. Their arrival comes against the backdrop of the stalled negotiations between the US and Iran, and alongside reports that the administration is considering a ground operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or remove Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpiles from the country...."
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/03/28/first-us-ground-force-arrives-near-iran-amid-negotiations/

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Joe Kent "the traitor"

People have simply given themselves permission to stop thinking.

Enjoy the vlawg.

00:12:11
highlight from today's stream

Kyle talks about his lawyer's letter from Capitol Police officer identified by The Blaze article.

00:17:32
March 26, 2026
Tonight‘s movie: French connection

I think I can hear most of the movie over Manny‘s snoring.

https://youtube.com/@vivaandlordbucklygotothemovies?si=PtETFKtpUTpVM0Ok

00:00:20
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
Board Poll: Movie Night Runoff

Top vote getter we'll watch tonight w/ open live stream starting film at 9 pm eastern in honor of Chuck Norris.

Board Poll: Movie Night

In honor of Chuck Norris, pick your favorite, and the top vote-getter we will watch at 9 pm eastern on the dot tonight w/ an open live chat.

Falling down, the movie

I’m watching Falling Down for the first time since I originally saw it over 30 years ago.

This movie has aged surprisingly well.

Not only is it literally the embodiment of grand theft auto in terms of leveling up from weapons: from nothing, to baseball bat, to knife, to a bag of guns.

Not only in terms of issues of domestic violence, where a wife could get a restraining order in the absence of any physical violence, but only in apprehension of perceived potential.

But in terms of domestic issues of unemployment, gangs, veterans being neglected, mass immigration, drugs…

Holy hell, this movie is something everyone needs to rewatch.

post photo preview
The Barnes Brief: Friday, March 27, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION 

**Alert: Amos Miller Special Dinner Fundraiser: https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7756876/1776-law-center-fundraiser-birthday-bash-at-amos-millers

A. Art of the Week

  • The artful studio, the hidden cigar room, and the secret negotiations place. The well-structured chairs, the comfortable cushions, the wood-paneled walls, the delicate lamps, the simple table, the luxuriant rug, the seafaring sailboat beckoning on the wall. The simple art of everyday aesthetics that shape mind and soul alike, the art that envelops and motivates at the same. An inviting, beckoning, hidden welcome. 

B. Recommendation of the Week

C. Wisdom of the Week

  • “The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war.” Desiderius Erasmus. 

D. Appearances

  • Interview w/ Dr. Parsi.
    placeholder

II. THE EVIDENCE

*NOTE: 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

  1. The Gallipoli example. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/veterans-iran/
  2. Private credit risks spread. https://substack.com/home/post/p-192317151
  3. Doomberg’s perspective. https://newsletter.doomberg.com/p/house-of-pain
  4. Exit ramps. https://www.cato.org/commentary/how-end-war-iran
  5. Dr. Malone exits. https://thehighwire.com/watch/

 *Bonus: Rescued by hanging onto a cliff. https://abc7news.com/post/live-crews-working-rescue-person-clinging-cliff-house-san-francisco/18773788/

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

  1. Comedic wisdom. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7802545/this-ones-for-you-janet-fly-the-friendly-skies
  2. American roulette. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7802590/seems-pretty-accurate-from-where-i-sit-both-parties-are-poison-they-just-have-different-ideas-on
  3. Light and shadow at the Lighthouse. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7802467/title
  4. Malone warns. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7801997/they-tried-it-s-over
  5. Ideas for reformers. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7802626/here-it-is-robertbarnes-a-highly-detailed-and-extensively-researched-list-for-1776-law-center-u

*Bonus: Art meets nature. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7801135/title

C. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday

  1. Free speech win. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/03/27/a_consent_decree_for_freedom_speech_153985.html
  2. Pentagon loses Anthropic block. https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.465515/gov.uscourts.cand.465515.134.0.pdf
  3. North Carolina voter id upheld. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/nc-voter-id-naacp-hirsch-berger.pdf
  4. Environmentalists lose. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reclamation-water-contracts-ruling.pdf
  5. Cop negligence. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/monica-liliana-v-san-diego-ruling.pdf
  6. Musk loses. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/x-advertiser-boycott-lawsuit-dismissed.pdf
  7. Musk loses again. https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/elon-musk-challenges-twitter-fraud-verdict-flags-4-20-joke-as-jury-bias-93424.htm
  8. Facebook loses. https://courthousenews.com/meta-and-google-hit-with-6-million-verdict-for-social-media-harms-to-young-woman/
  9. Facebook loses again. https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/new-mexico-department-of-justice-wins-landmark-verdict-against-meta/
  10. SCOTUS: copyright law. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-171_bq7d.pdf
  11. SCOTUS: more immunity. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25-297_bqm2.pdf
  12. SCOTUS: mail-in voting argument. https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2025/24-1260_8njq.pdf

*Bonus: A joke lawsuit over Lion King. https://www.slashfilm.com/2133281/the-lion-king-circle-of-life-singer-comedian-learnmore-jonasi-lawsuit/

**Bonus: Google settles again. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/open-lawsuit-settlements/5m-google-play-subscription-class-action-settlement/

***Bonus; MN sues over shootings. https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.290713/gov.uscourts.dcd.290713.1.0_2.pdf

D. Deep Dive: Sources on X to Follow on Iran War

  1. War analyst. https://x.com/pati_marins64
  2. Former Israeli defense intelligence. https://x.com/citrinowicz
  3. War & geopolitics nerd. https://x.com/policytensor
  4. Commodity manager. https://x.com/tleilax___
  5. Geopolitics from an economics perspective. https://x.com/DarioCpx?

*Bonus: War nerd. https://x.com/ripplebrain

III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: An Answer to My Critics on Iran War

  • A few common complaints recur. Their most continuous error is the failure to step back and provide an effective overview. What are the rewards you seek? What is the probability the means you employ will obtain those rewards? What are the risks of using those means to obtain those rewards? What is the probability of those risks coming to fruition? This simple 4-step analysis is the very thing the critics can’t seem to meaningfully engage. Instead, the criticisms tend to conflate wishful thinking with geopolitical realism. 
  • For example: “Are you saying you want the Islamic regime in Iran to be the hegemon in the Middle East?” Nope. I am saying the current war is more and more likely to make them such a hegemon. This common confusion conflates wishful thinking with geopolitical realism. Recognizing a likely reality doesn’t make it a desirable reality. Wishing for a particular outcome doesn’t make it happen. This isn’t a fairytale world. 
  • Another: “Sounds like Barnes is moving the goal posts by labeling Iran's proxies as 'resistance movements. ' lol” It is important to use consistent, objective definitions for a label like “terrorism”, rather than the subjective whims of calling those you don’t like “terrorists” but excuse the identical conduct by those you support as something else. Terrorism has a long standing broadly understood definition: “the unlawful use of violence against civilians to intimidate societies for politicized objectives.” By that definition, Iran’s support tends to be for rebels who mostly use violence against states or other armed rivals — e.g., the Houthis, Hezbollah and the Shia Militias in Iraq. By contrast, they fought ISIS more than we did. By our own State Department, more terrorism happens by Israel and US backed groups than by Iran. Pretending otherwise makes the Iran critics look hypocritical and fraudulent. Equally, and more importantly for American security interests, it makes Iran’s government not an imminent threat to Americans in our own homeland. As is, even if it did, the war creates far more terrorists who will target America.  
  • A third: “I guess a 4000km range missile doesn't worry Mr. Barnes. Personally, I would prefer a non-radioactive Middle East.” Once again, what is your evidence Iran would use nuclear armed ballistic missiles against the United States when they have whenever attacked us in our homeland, ever? Even if you believed that was so, how do you think the war reduces that risk? 
  • This fundamental failure to test their own assumptions, filter their own arguments through an objectively verifiable standard, and their dubious sourcing relying on emotional appeals, the critics reveal their lack of quality arguments for their position. 
  • My take: I see the reward of a peaceful, democratic, pro-American, pro-Israel regime in Iran as highly unlikely. I see the reward of an Iran incapable of making nuclear weapons as equally unlikely. I see the reward of a docile, submissive Iran, unsupportive of Shia rebel groups and the Palestinians as equally unlikely. Indeed, I see the risk of a more hostile, more likely to get nuclear weapons, more likely to embrace true terrorism, as the more probable outcome of the war. As important, I see the risk of Democratic dominance for a half-decade as much more likely than Iran becoming the 1978 Shah’s version of Iran, due to the betrayal to anti-war voters, the economic fallout from the conflict, the budgetary cost of the war, and the way it sucks all the oxygen out of the room from achieving any meaningful reforms of the kind Trump voters elected him to achieve.
  • It is that risk-reward analysis that leads to my skepticism toward the war. Those who disagree need to do so on those terms — what is the sought after reward?; what is the price, or risk, of the means chosen to obtain that reward?; compare and contrast the two to come to a decision about the policy preferences concerning the war. The fact the critics cannot even try to do so speaks volumes about the absence of good arguments on their side of supporting the war. 
Read full Article
post photo preview
The Barnes Brief: Weekend of March 20, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION 

**Alert: Amos Miller Special Dinner Fundraiser: https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7756876/1776-law-center-fundraiser-birthday-bash-at-amos-millers

A. Art of the Week

Persepolis: the ancient city of the Achaemenid Empire founded centuries ago by Darius the Great in succession from Cyrus. The Gate of All Nations invites visitors to this 3,000 year old ceremonial city celebrating the power of Persian culture and its echoing effect across the Iranian nation today. The Gate itself integrated the languages of the time — Elamite, Babylonian and Old Persian, with its symbols of strength but solemnity, showcasing power without threat, as the columns facing the public stand the Lamas, mythical legends with the bodies of a bull, the wings of an eagle, and the heads of the human leaders. Such legends still shape much of the Persian mindset to this day.  

B. Recommendation of the Week

A unique travelogue on Iran. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/161711.Mirrors_of_the_Unseen

C. Wisdom of the Week

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” Rumi. 

D. Appearances

  • LIVE w/ Tom Woods

https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7780307/tom-woods-interview

  • LIVE w/ Nina Infinity

II. THE EVIDENCE

*NOTE: 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

  1. Russiagate lies. https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2026/03/20/fbi_misled_court_to_spy_on_second_trump_campaign_adviser_1171646.html
  2. Democrats lack growth agenda. https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/democrats-dont-have-a-growth-program
  3. Iran war intent. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/how-iran-sees-war
  4. Hormuz risks. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/03/20/solving_the_hormuz_problem_imposing_costs_without_incurring_risk_153960.html
  5. Polling on who benefits from Iran War. https://substack.com/@greenwald/note/c-230246413

 *Bonus: The Greeks rescue the pets. https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2026/03/greece-launches-animal-airlift-to-evacuate-pets-and-owners-from-mideast.html

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

  1. Board insight on F35. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7782690/this-is-exactly-the-weakness-i-have-been-pointing-out-in-the-f-35-design-for-years-it-uses-what-is
  2. RIP a legend. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7783832/chuck-norris-passed-away-one-of-those-men-you-just-expect-to-live-forever-thank-you-for-all-the-en
  3. Memeatic magic from the OG. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7784089/in-honor-of-chuck-norris
  4. Gas price reports from Europe. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7784098/well-we-have-hit-11-pr-gal-of-diesel-in-noway
  5. Board wisdom. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7782594/thinking-about-jd-vance-s-position-and-last-nights-bwb-comment-that-at-some-point-jd-should-step-a

*Bonus: Magical photography from a board member. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7782916/some-images-from-late-october-and-early-nov-2025-another-outing-with-my-wife-her-spotting-with-bi

C. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday

  1. SCOTUS: street preacher win! https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/olivier-city-of-brandon-scotus-opinion.pdf
  2. Joe Kent targeted. https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/joe-kent-fbi-leak-investigation
  3. Richin verdict. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7779244/summary-of-closing-arguments-in-kouri-richie-trial
  4. DOJ withdraws abortion pill challenge. https://www.nationalreview.com/news/slap-in-the-face-major-pro-life-group-unloads-on-trump-admin-after-doj-moves-to-dismiss-abortion-pill-suits/
  5. Judicial coup against Kennedy. https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/judge-says-hes-ruling-against-rfk-jr-move-to-block-gender-dysphoria-procedures-for-kids-6001419?utm_source=andshare
  6. Judicial coup against Kennedy part 2. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Murphy-vaccine-ruling.pdf
  7. AI plans. https://conservativeladiesofamerica.substack.com/p/nationwide-age-assurance-takes-center?triedRedirect=true
  8. Latest California insanity. https://www.thecollegefix.com/calif-democrats-advance-measure-to-allow-race-based-preferences-in-financial-aid/
  9. Powell plans to usurp Fed further. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/03/19/freekevin_153957.html
  10. Afroman wins. https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2026/03/greece-launches-animal-airlift-to-evacuate-pets-and-owners-from-mideast.html
    Trump DOJ sues Harvard over Israel statements. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/justice-department-harvard-antisemitism-complaint.pdf
  11. Campaign disclosure laws. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/american-future-fund-ny-elections-appellant-brief.pdf
  12. Trump AG loses effort to support corporate farming. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/united-states-vs-california-ruling.pdf

*Bonus: Disney settles latest scam. https://courthousenews.com/disney-settles-livestream-subscriber-class-action-for-50-million/

**Bonus: States sue over mergers. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/attorneys-general-nexstar-lawsuit.pdf

***Bonus: Court clerk sues judge over libel & corruption. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/maness-tanner-complaint-political-defamation.pdf

D. Deep Dive: Private Capital Market Risks

  1. Financial system risks. https://goghieas.substack.com/p/is-private-credit-another-2008-not
  2. Liquidity issues. https://romulusstrategy.substack.com/p/the-liquidity-illusion-in-private
  3. Iran war ties. https://matein.substack.com/p/private-credits-meltdown-will-hurt
  4. Roaches exposed. https://eurodollaruniversity.substack.com/p/private-credit-and-the-return-of
  5. 2008 echoes. https://discussthetape.substack.com/p/the-butterfly-effect-what-is-really

*Bonus: A 401K/IRA perspective. https://felixprehn.substack.com/p/private-credit-risks-what-us-retirees

III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: Article I, Legislative Immunity

  • The Constitution affords Congress broad leniency in terms of transparency, internal operations, and immunity from the other branches of government in the exercise of its legislative duties. 
  • First, under Article 1, Section 5, Congress can exempt any of its proceedings from public transparency whenever it “may in their Judgment require secrecy” from the duty to keep and publish the journal of its proceedings. 
  • Second, under Article 1, Section 5, Congress “may determine the Rules of its Proceedings”, “punish members for disorderly Behavior”, and may expel a member “with the Concurrence of two-thirds.” 
  • Third, under Article 1, Section 6, the compensation of members of Congress can be set by them, and must be paid out of the Treasury, prohibiting the power of payment from the executive branch’s control of the Congress. The Twenty-Seventh Amendment, the last amendment to be passed, limits this power to “until an election” has “intervened” between the time of the passage of a compensation law and its enforcement. 
  • Fourth, under Article 1, Section 6, members of Congress are “privileged from arrest during their attendance” and during their transit, except for the limited crimes of Treason and Felony breach of the Peace. 
  • Fifth, under Article 1, Section 6, no member of Congress can be questioned “in any other place” for any of their “speech or debate in either house”, the so-called Speech & Debate clause immunity from libel and slander suits for their speech inside the Chamber. 
  • These privileges intend to afford members of Congress sufficient, but no more than sufficient, immunity from the other branches of government in order to capably, confidently, and competently perform their legislative duties. Of course, it can’t fix the corruptibility, cowardice, or constricted cognitive capacity of Congress. 
Read full Article
post photo preview
The Barnes Brief: Weekend of March 13, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION

**Alert: Amos Miller Special Dinner Fundraiser: https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7756876/1776-law-center-fundraiser-birthday-bash-at-amos-millers

A. Art of the Week

  • From a board member, this photo captures a place I want to someday retreat to — out in the woods, with a wood fireplace inside & out, in a cozy cabin that embraces its surroundings while escaping the busy, busy world of concrete interiors and crowd-field valleys between mountainous walls of sky-rising office towers and condos. A place to be still with nature and within it while outside its colder embrace. 

B. Recommendation of the Week

C. Wisdom of the Week

  • "My apprehension is traceable, too, to a belief that our republic has begun to retrace, step by step, the march of folly that led to the fall of the British and every other great empire.” Pat Buchanan, 1999.  

D. Appearances

II. THE EVIDENCE

*NOTE: 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

  1. Myth of EU Military. https://eventsinukraine.substack.com/p/eu-weapons-complex-rises
  2. Populists oppose the war. https://x.com/PatrickBashamDI/status/2032186099804651697?s=20
  3. Trouble in private credit markets. https://www.aol.com/veteran-fund-manager-george-noble-093001166.html
  4. Cuba next? https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/03/13/cuba-confirms-talks-trump-economic-deal/89132765007/
  5. SAVE Act struggles. https://spectator.com/article/trump-defeat-senate-republicans-save-act/?edition=us&rcp=true

 *Bonus: Rescuing sloths.

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

  1. Tennessee toward top of move-in list. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7764685/title
  2. Truth. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7764970/they-had-a-golden-opportunity-squandered-to-do-the-bidding-of-another-country
  3. Humor. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7764477/been-there
  4. Epstein as global framing. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7765282/title
  5. Mematic truth. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7764927/title

*Bonus: Spooky day. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7765058/title

C. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday

  1. Antitrust settlement controversy. https://prospect.org/2026/03/09/live-nation-settlement-spurs-chaos-in-court/
  2. Social media to jury. https://courthousenews.com/landmark-social-media-addiction-trial-heads-to-jury/
  3. Israel lets war criminals walk. https://x.com/TRHLofficial/status/2032256539830972614?s=20
  4. Israel at ICJ. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/united-states-declaration-of-intervention-genocide-in-the-gaza-strip-icj.pdf.pdf
  5. Torture verdict. https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinions/251043.P.pdf
  6. Judges protect DEI. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/institute-for-applied-ecology-v-burgum-opinion-dei-grants.pdf
  7. Online risks to kids. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/netchoice-vs-bonta-opinion.pdf
  8. Richins murder trial. https://www.fox13now.com/news/crime/kouri-richins-defense-team-surprisingly-rests-case-without-calling-single-witness
  9. Qui Tam win over Pharma fraud. https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinions/241793.P.pdf
  10. Necessary parties. https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinions/232316.P.pdf
  11. Trans care mandates. https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/movaokabwva/USA_HEALTH_TRANSGENDER_WESTVIRGINIA.pdf
  12. 1st Amendment in schools. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BB-Capistrano-Unified-ninth-circuit-opinion.pdf

*Bonus: Italy court affirms citizenship limits. https://www.cortecostituzionale.it/uploads/release/69b2adc90cb9b.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawQgK8hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0UG41c3M1aWhsTHZ4U1lyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhvXqFDR4BGvMTH3XKnxYxpQ-KxzoZCTGOtJDHeTDemH3z9pPKTgaJtL2dME_aem_rFeIHB6Nrrwte1UJXunMPA

**Bonus: Limits of Anti-SLAPP. https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/OpinionsPDFVersion/Majority%20Opinion%20-%20W2022-01636-SC-R11-CV.pdf

***Bonus: EV Mandate. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/trump-california-ev-mandate-complaint.pdf

D. Deep Dive: Iran War Risks

  1. $50B more for Iran War. https://debtdispatch.substack.com/p/5-reasons-the-us-should-not-spend
  2. Battle of weapons attrition. https://mrandrewfox.substack.com/p/the-iran-war-is-now-an-ammunition
  3. Epic Folly? https://richardhaass.substack.com/p/epic-folly-march-12-2026
  4. China? https://greenwald.substack.com/p/iran-war-supporters-invent-a-new
  5. Nukes? https://sonar21.com/should-iran-build-a-nuke-game-theory-says-yes/

*Bonus: Chess strategy needed. https://fallows.substack.com/p/the-arrogance-of-ignorance

III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: Article I, Defining War Crimes 

  • Two sources in the Constitution provide the power to Congress to define war crimes. 
  • First, Section 8 of Article I provides three separate sources of legislative authority, as Congress is a body of only defined, express powers, not inferred, implicit or broad powers. Article 1, Section 8 provides that Congress “shall have Power” to “define and punish Piracies and Felonies on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations”; “to declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water”; “to make Rules for the government and Regulation of the land and Naval forces.”
  • Second, the Congress enjoys the power to enforce Treaties. Article VI provides “all Treaties made, and which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land.” 
  • The phrase “the Law of Nations” derives from a popular scholastic legal work in many a library of the Founding generation entitled: The Law of Nations, or Principles of the Law of Nature, Applied to the Conduct and Affairs of Nations and Sovereigns” by Emmerich de Vattel, published in 1758. Today, we know it by another name: international customs and law. 
  • First, Vattel’s Law of Nations recognized war as illegal, and any actions taken in its kinetic course and conduct, as a crime against the law of nations whenever it is fought for reasons other than self-defense and securing essential rights of sovereignty, and even then, only after meaningful sincere diplomatic and peaceful efforts fail. This was colloquially called Just War, influenced by the Catholic intellectual tradition especially. 
  • Second, Vattel’s Law of Nations required moderation, sparing civilians, treating prisoners with humanity, and especially prohibited denying quarter to those who have not violated the laws of war. 
  • The early Congresses recognized their obligations to declare war by authorizing conflict with France, the Barbary pirates, and American tribes on the frontier. Presidents Washington, Adams and Jefferson all recognized their requirement for Congressional authorization to initiate force against foreign adversaries. 
  • The very first Congress also accepted this Constitutional authorization and included the law of nations violations in its first Judiciary Act of 1789. The very first criminal prosecution ever in federal courts enforced these Law of Nations against Gideon Henfield for violating America’s neutrality in the British-French wars at the time. Chief Justice Jay identified the source of law for the prosecution: the Law of Nations, which Congress gave the courts the power to enforce under the Judiciary Act of 1789. 
  • Treaties signed by the President and affirmed by the requisite vote in the Senate governing conduct in kinetic conflicts include: the Geneva Convention; The Hague Conventions; and the Pact of Paris of 1928. Congress codified several of the precepts and principles from these treaties and conventions into federal statutory criminal law, such as section 2441 of Title 18 of the United States Code, which include the death penalty as a possible sentence. 
  • The key criminal prohibitions for grave violations of these treaties and the Law of Nations, include: torture; curly or inhumanity toward anyone in custody or control; biological experiments; and murder, mutilation, maiming, or serious bodily injury in violations of the law of war, including harm to anyone “taking no active part in the hostilities” which include those “out of combat” for any reason, such as the injuries, detained or “any other cause.” The law excludes Antone harmed from “collateral damage” or “lawful attack.” 
  • Thus, the Law of Nations still guides American law, as it has from the founding the of the nation, and expressly referenced within the explicit powers of Congress to enforce, be it by treaty or particular statute, or simply judicial authority to prosecute or punish. 
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