The Ultimate Answer to Kings: Yeah, I know. I'm being a purist...

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.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Yeah, I know. I'm being a purist...

...and maybe a bit of a dick. But I checked, and the word "licensed" still does not appear anywhere in the second amendment.

H/T to Robb.

6 comments:

Brass said...: Or "concealed." In the 1700s, one was considered a blackguard if one carried a concealed weapon.

You're dead-on-balls accurate (it's an industry term), so don't worry.

Though I personally don't give a damn about the Second Amendment. My rights do not have their source in words scrawled in iron ink by long-extinct men on the dessicated skin of a dead sheep.; October 11, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Joel said...: I'm not a 2A worshiper either, Brass. I was just commenting on the sign. And I'm glad somebody else was aware of the 18th century attitude toward concealed weapons.; October 11, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Anonymous said...: Purist and bit of a dick. Yeah.

It's a bank. Most have off-duty cops sleeping inside. This one is welcoming firearms.

Geez, can't you enjoy one departing the fold? Or is shitting on everything too much fun? Seagull blogging is beneath you.; October 11, 2011 at 6:12 PM
Mayberry said...: One of my favorite responses to the "license" folks is that my "license" was issued when the delivery doctor spanked my ass. I am, therefore I am "licensed".; October 11, 2011 at 7:04 PM
MamaLiberty said...: We don't need no stinking signs where I live either. Anyone who doesn't actually belong in protective custody (either way) is welcome anywhere not "federal property" here, concealed or open.

I carry openly, proudly. I am aware of the additional and grave responsibility that goes alone with it.

Honest, I've only had to stare once at someone who thought it was funny for an old lady to pack a .45 on her belt. :) Now I'm carrying a .357m revolver.

What I can't figure out is why so many folks think the revolver is somehow less silly... they both make large holes in things. Oh well...; October 13, 2011 at 9:04 AM
John B said...: Regardless of the slight literary slip, I'll take a dozen. Perhaps a gross, replace the other signs with them.; October 17, 2011 at 6:27 AM