The Ultimate Answer to Kings: joelsgulch.com

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.

Monday, June 25, 2012

joelsgulch.com

Woke to an email from one of my benefactors. Joelsgulch.com has been registered as the blog's new domain. Might not be much longer.

I forget who first suggested that name, but I thought it was pretty cool.

3 comments:

Claire said...: Yay! Good choice.

That would be Bustednuckles who suggested it, Joel.

And me, too. I think it was a case of great minds :-), though BN's comment got there first.

Anyhow, definitely a fine choice. Looking forward to seeing TUAK in its new home.; June 25, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Mayberry said...: Sure will beat Blogger. I know it's "free" and all, but damn...; June 25, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Phil said...: Congratulations.
I just thought it had a nice ring to it and wasn't overly complicated.
Glad you liked it.; June 27, 2012 at 1:37 PM