Turning lead into gold.
A dream of of ancient Kings, but one more truly realized by we, the Individual Sovereigns of these United States of America.
And its a simple process, really. Some steel, maybe a dash of aluminum, a bit of brass, frequently mixed with wood, polymers and in some cases, glass. Add a slug of lead, some interesting nitrates and blend with a generous dose of Newtonian Physics.
Every time I send that small chunk o' lead downrange, I'm reminded of the value of this freedom. It is a freedom paid for dearly, by way of the blood of patriots.
That price is being paid still, today.
By our troops, our police offiers and even by our private armed citizens.
I'll strike gold today though. Along with a select few brothers and sisters, I'll send a few hundred lead projectiles downrange. Even though the total weight of them will be but a couple dozen ounces, the return on the investment will be richer than Sutter's find at his mill.
The pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness. Just having the freedom to follow this quest is worth more than can be measured in mere coin. That freedom was bought with the blood of Patriots.
Every round I fire today will be a small payment to the interest of the debt of honor that I, and you, owe to those brave men and women who invested their very lives, so that we might live freely.
That debt cannot be paid in dollars, coin or even in gold.
But lead is Legal Tender in the commerce of freedom.
Gold, without freedom, is worthless. Today, I am free and rich beyond measure. I will enjoy the companionship of a precioius few other women and men who understand this uniquely American Alchemy.
I love the smell of gunsmoke in the morning.
It smells like freedom.
D*mn, that's good!
Ya oughtta, like, write stuff for a living!
Posted by: mostly cajun | May 08, 2004 at 11:05 AM
Double-dog-dare-ya!
Posted by: Indigo | May 08, 2004 at 04:31 PM
Now *I* want to go throw lead... and I have to wait a week!
Posted by: Mollbot | May 08, 2004 at 10:58 PM
A-men jim.......A-men
Posted by: eric in jersey | May 09, 2004 at 12:19 AM
Just did that, myself. Only I did it over THREE DAYS (and fired a hell of a lot more than 200 rounds).
I also fired a Barrett .50 BMG, a .45-70 Govt rifle, and several assorted .3xx Magnum rifles, causing many explosions.
And I did it all in the company of my Son&Heir, who out-shot me (again, sigh).
Neener, neener....
Posted by: Kim du Toit | May 09, 2004 at 07:38 PM
Hmm, time to take my 22 into the back patch and terrorize those tin cans again...
Posted by: Daniel Day | May 10, 2004 at 12:04 PM
Let it never be said that I can let a challenge, even if only imagined, pass by....
Kim - Mollbot, AK and myself were able to fire a MARS unit. Many rounds in a short amount of time. So neener-neener!
Posted by: Raging Dave | May 10, 2004 at 02:10 PM
Umm not on topic, but kinda yes.
You can make lead into gold. Lead lining nuclear reactors over time turns to gold. The shame of it is is that it is soo radioactive as to make it worthless to anyone for many thousands of years.
That is all.
Posted by: IXLNXS | May 10, 2004 at 10:40 PM