The Ultimate Answer to Kings: One Thousandth Post!

They say that Louis XIV had the inscription Ultima Ratio Regum cast into all the cannon of the French Army. It means "The Ultimate Argument of Kings," and that always struck me as one of the most honest and up-front things any ruler or would-be ruler ever said. "We can dress it up prettier than this, but when it comes down to the unvarnished truth this is what it's about: You'll do as I say or I'll send my goons to kill you."

I thought about that for a long time. If there's an ultimate argument, it seems only logical that there must be an ultimate answer. For years I thought the ultimate answer must be the bullets in my rifle, but it never seemed quite right. I've got bullets - he's got frigging Cannon Balls. I mean, if there were three hundred million rifles throwing bullets at him, then maybe. But we all know that's not going to happen. So if there's an ultimate answer to his ultimate argument, it sure as hell ain't bullets.

It finally came to me - and that's when I left the city, abandoned a goodly percentage of my goods, and gave all that was behind me a good, stiff Randian Shrug.

The ultimate answer to kings is not a bullet, but a belly laugh.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

One Thousandth Post!

I've been meaning to clean out some duplicate drafts, because the thousandth post was coming and I didn't want to miss it. Darned near did, too: According to a newly-accurate count, the Nissan Cube post was #1,000.

The 'pooter and I will have cake later.

7 comments:

CorbinKale said...: "Were it worth the trouble?"; June 26, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Joel said...: "Eh? What trouble?"; June 26, 2010 at 6:59 PM
CorbinKale said...: Out of all the people on the internet, I knew you'd be the one to get that JJ reference!; June 27, 2010 at 12:26 AM
Anonymous said...: I had no idea I'd done that much reading! And it was no trouble at all. Thanks. K; June 27, 2010 at 7:10 AM
Jim said...: A nice milestone. And, FWIW, welcome to my blog roll.

Jim; June 27, 2010 at 11:43 AM
The Grey Lady said...: Congratulations Joel. 1000 posts and over 43 thousand hits, not bad for a "something to help pass the winter time hobby blog". :) I have to say that I have enjoyed the ride so far.; June 27, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Joel said...: Thanks, guys!; June 27, 2010 at 7:47 PM