The Ultimate Answer to Kings: I'm a Granddad!

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 13, 2011

I'm a Granddad!

Born early this morning, after (of course) a very long night for mom and dad. Her name is Kaelyn, she and Mom are fine, and that's all I know right now. Pix to follow, when I get them.

17 comments:

Jim said...: :). Enjoy.

One of my buddies says, "If I'd known grandkids were so much fun, I'd have had more kids."; June 13, 2011 at 6:58 AM
GunRights4US said...: That's wonderful.. Congratulations Gramps. I made that distinguished milestobne for the first time last year in January. It's pretty darn cool!!; June 13, 2011 at 7:53 AM
Groundhog said...: Congrats Gramps! I hear grandkids are cool because you can return them all spoiled to mom and dad and giggle for days...; June 13, 2011 at 9:25 AM
Anonymous said...: Congrats to you, your daughter, and Ari the Dad. ;^)
--Lightning; June 13, 2011 at 10:31 AM
suek said...: Glad all went well. Enjoy!; June 13, 2011 at 10:48 AM
MamaLiberty said...: Oh, how wonderful! Congratulations. I hope you get to spend a lot of time with her. Probably after the diaper stage, however. LOL; June 13, 2011 at 10:49 AM
CorbinKale said...: Woot! You are a Go at the biological obligation station. Move to the break area, Gramps. :); June 13, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Anonymous said...: Congrats grandpa! Can't wait for pics. Hope there's no family resemblance to the pic at the blog bottom. ;<)) K; June 13, 2011 at 12:19 PM
The Grey Lady said...: Congratulations Joel.

It is a wonderful thing to be a parent of a child who had a child. :O)

I will send out good sleepy vibes so the baby will give your daughter some rest. All the best to the new family.; June 13, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Brian Dunbar said...: I have found that being a grand-parent is awesome. It's true: you can hold them while they coo, even change a diaper if you feel like it, then hand them back when they get fussy.; June 13, 2011 at 1:25 PM
shiloh1862 said...: Congrats man!

Pickdog
III; June 13, 2011 at 1:28 PM
Anonymous said...: Whoo hoo! Congrats Gramps!

Buck.; June 13, 2011 at 5:05 PM
WolfSong said...: Congrats to you and your daughter!; June 13, 2011 at 6:18 PM
Big Wooly said...: Congratulations, Joel!
I'm sure it'll take at least a week or so to wipe that silly grin from your face. You can get her a beanie like yours but the Kalishnikitty will have to wait a couple years.; June 13, 2011 at 6:58 PM
Anonymous said...: Congratulations Joel! I'm so happy Mama and Baby are healthy and happy.

Now to decide if you are going to be Grand-dad, Gramps, Grampy, Pe-Paw, Pops or Grandpa =).

Sister L; June 13, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey, awesome news. Good reason to celebrate.; June 14, 2011 at 6:02 AM
Anonymous said...: Yep me too ... wishing the mother and daughter well and long(ish) nights of rest and all the best.

All the best to you too Grandpa Joel.

Grandpa gooch
gasp Has it been 11 years already? Yikes.; June 15, 2011 at 5:46 PM