The Ultimate Answer to Kings: Technology is very scary.

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.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Technology is very scary.

Get a load of this:

That's either my grandkid-in-making, or a cleverly-disguised H. R. Giger print. Stay tuned. Current speculation says it's a girl.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...: So, Joel. Which side of the family does she take after?; February 18, 2011 at 4:38 PM
The Grey Lady said...: Congratulations Joel; she is going to be a beauty..... I can see she takes after her Grandpa already, look at that lovely strong back bone she has.; February 18, 2011 at 6:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Getting scary real there, grandpa.
Congrats! K; February 18, 2011 at 6:51 PM
Pumice said...: I can remember when the doctors showed us our son's heart beating. He went on to show us the brain and the spinal chord, etc. Only later did we realize he was looking to see if he should recommend an abortion. I pray that this child will bring years of joy to you and your family.

Grace and peace.; February 18, 2011 at 10:09 PM
MamaLiberty said...: That's wonderful, Joel...

I'm very surprised she is stretched out like that! They are usually all curled up - the fetal position.

Anyway, she looks close to term. When is she due?; February 19, 2011 at 7:50 AM
Big Wooly said...: Congrats, Joel!
I'm sure she'll have you wrapped around her little finger in no time!; February 19, 2011 at 8:37 AM
Joel said...: Anon 4:38 - Must be her Grandmother's side. I'm not nearly that pretty.

ML - As I recall, that baby's only about 4 months along. So by the time she's born she should look like a teenager. I'll have to start working on her first rifle earlier than originally planned.; February 19, 2011 at 9:19 AM
MamaLiberty said...: Amazing! Shows you how little I know about untrasound. That had not yet been invented when my sons were born. We just had to wait and be surprised. LOL

But do get that rifle ready. They grow up SOOOO fast!!!; February 20, 2011 at 7:28 AM
Anonymous said...: Congrats, Joel! :); February 21, 2011 at 12:47 PM

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Friday, February 18, 2011

Technology is very scary.

9 comments:

Why the hell did you scroll all the way down here?