Most hated unit

[General Leang 0]

And America has always been the world police. Is that a bad thing?

[Luk3us 63]

Well I suppose its good if you live in the western world. :wink:

[Saracen 16]

Not really when you think about it.

 

It may be good to a certain degree, but then when you consider the amount of age old treatys there are that have been set in stone. It means once America jumps, the UK does, and then it's commonwealth does, and then those countries assigned to protect the commonwealth jump too.

 

If it don't work that way then they call it NATO instead, which is really obselete considering it was set up to keep the Russians (who are now a part of it) at bay.

 

Going back to a discussion a long while back now I said that America had too much power given to one man. It's dangerous, and if America says we have to do something, then the world is expected without fail to comply. It's not right.

 

America runs the world, we are the global superstate. It is not democracy. Democracy is a term, not political stance or following. We are not members of a free world, just puppets on a string. The UN should have a final say on matters, but big bully America does and says what it likes regardless of UN opinion.

 

The war on terror isn't a fight to protect the rights and freedom of the people who live on earth. It's yet another war of religion. Both sides believe so strongly that God is our saviour and outright protector, and we are the ones at his mercy to rid the world of each other. So I wish that the leaders of America and everyone who follows them, would shut the hell up when they say its a fight for democracy.

 

The modern world will destroy itself, all we have to do as the population of this planet is watch it happen. Without a say in what goes on.

[Cygnus X-1 12]

1. Saddam Hussien was gasing his own people with weapons that the U.N. told him to get rid off. Yes the Americans gave a bunch of stupid reasons for going to war, they should have just said "Saddam has had twelve years to disarm since Desert Storm, and in that twelve years, he has rebuilt his weapons stock and used them to kill his own people."

 

2. I personally believe that the U.N. is losing power. They went in and "inspected" Iraq, declaring that Hussien disarmed as was ordered. The UN refused to believe they news reports that THEY PUBLISHED abou him gasing the Kurds, and when the US went in to wage war, he fought them. Quite poorly, mind you, but he fought the US with weapons that the UN said he didnt have. Also the fact that the Americans went in despite UN misgivings says something about the power of the UN right there.

 

3. America does seem to have interest in global policing. Despite the fact that it kills their own troops and taxes their own people. It says one of two things about US leaders. ONE. They are good at heart, looking out for others, TWO(the more likely case) Their leaders are nuts, going around the world, "saving it for democracy", when if they would look out their front windows, they would see a people that need saving for democracy. Their own people. America is hardly a democracy anymore, what with party politics and all that. A house divded against itself cannot stand, and America is quite divided against itself. Perhaps its only a matter of time...

[General immeyourenot 0]

And America has always been the world police. Is that a bad thing?

 

Its like a lynch mob in the way it works, not like police!

[chickendippers 1]

There weren't any weapons in Iraq though, no-one's found any!

[General Leang 0]

Maybe America and a lot of other countries need to focus less on what other countries are doing wrong and more on what they can do for the standered of living for their own people.

[Cygnus X-1 12]

Maybe America and a lot of other countries need to focus less on what other countries are doing wrong and more on what they can do for the standered of living for their own people.

 

Just what I said earlier. Good point.

There weren't any weapons in Iraq though, noone's found any!

 

What about the scuds shot against the US troops early on? And the Scant few MiG 23's?

[J-Fire_Man 0]

And America has always been the world police. Is that a bad thing?

 

Its like a lynch mob in the way it works, not like police!

Exactly, why the hell America always act as a world police. The American governement often think that they are the best in the face of mother earth.

 

What about the scuds shot against the US troops early on? And the Scant few MiG 23's?

Ahh....let me guess, you rarely read newspaper

 

Maybe America and a lot of other countries need to focus less on what other countries are doing wrong and more on what they can do for the standered of living for their own people.

Yup, we can take care of ourself. If there is something wrong, let the UN handle it, not America declaring the war to Iraq by arrogance without the agreement from the UN. Bush even didn't care of the other UN members' veto right.

[Cygnus X-1 12]

The news is where I get my, er, news. Thats how I know about the whole situation. And American politics is weird. Amen to anything about the US needing to keep their noses out of other peoples business.

[BWare 0]

why the hell America always act as a world police. The American governement often think that they are the best in the face of mother earth.

Simple. We ARE the best "in the face of (:? mother earth." Who else is going to take care of/keep in check the other unruly countries out there... YOU? :roll: There is a need for us. Just try to see past your horribly irrational hatred for America and realize that we ARE in fact the greatest nation in history. Name one greater! Have YOU not picked up a newspaper recently?? Guess who's doing the majority of reconstruction work and donating the most money to your tsunami-afflicted region? WE ARE. Wow. How incredibly ungrateful...

 

Maybe America and a lot of other countries need to focus less on what other countries are doing wrong and more on what they can do for the standered of living for their own people.

Wow... you're kidding, right? Thousands of our citizens were vaporized on September 11, 2001. We are at war, and our standard of living over here is just fine, despite what the horribly skewed left-wing media is telling you. Iraq was doing FAR more than just "doing wrong." Do you not realise how incredibly evil Sadam Hussein's regime was? Do you not see that the mass graves/torture rooms/rape rooms are now closed?? Do you care nothing for human rights??

 

There weren't any weapons in Iraq though, noone's found any!

:roll: It was widely KNOWN that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Everyone agreed on that fact... hell, Sadam even used them on his own PEOPLE. He HAD weapons of mass destruction. In all likelihood they are across the border in Syria right now. Sadam was no idiot.

 

The war on terror isn't a fight to protect the rights and freedom of the people who live on earth. It's yet another war of religion.

That is absolutely untrue. America is somewhat Christian (not by much), but let me assure you that we are by NO MEANS run by religion. It is naive and foolish to think so. We have a (too) strong seperation between church and state here. It is only a Jihad on the side of the Orthodox Muslims. We ARE there to fight terrorism, and the most effective way to fight terrorism is to "expand the sphere of liberty" through, yes, the spread of DEMOCRACY.

 

...but big bully America does and says what it likes regardless of UN opinion.

Damn right we do. The CORRUPT AND INEFFECTIVE UN wil not dictate how we handle our own national defense. I would pick the virtuous "big bully" America over the corrupt and weak "big bully" UN any day.

 

And who decides whos good and bad? Its all depends on what side you're on. Its not as clear cut as good vs bad. Wink

Sorry, but I'm not into that relativistic worldview. To me, any nation that sponsors a group of people who would stab to death an 18 year old baby, rape and murder 2 nine year old girls, and massacre a school in Russia should be universally considered a "bad country."

 

I would not object to the war against Iraq had they made any significant move of aggresion, ie war, bombs etc, but there was no such thing. No country has the right to attack another country, no-one unless in defence of others! It is just Americas stuck up sense of self superiority that makes them thing they have the right, well they have NO right to do it.

Have you not heard of a preemptive srtrike? Wouldn't you agree that it's better to attack a looming danger head on before it really materializes as a direct threat? We followed a similar doctrine in World War II when Hitler was sweeping through Europe (Mind you he NEVER attacked the US). Thank God we did.

 

As far as I see it, & i could muster up a few million people to back me up on this one America were in the wrong just as much as Iraq, they are both as bad as each other.

Wow. Absolutely brilliant. You know, I'm sure you'll find plenty in asylums who would be more than happy to agree with your IDIOTIC comparison of Iraq and America. There is NO moral equivalency. Saddam's regime was unspeakably evil, and America, as ALWAYS, is on the side of good and justice.

 

 

Wow... big post :shock:

[General Leang 0]

My understanding of Iraq's military strength is that at the time of the Gulf War they had Soviet and ex Soviet hardware. Mig 29s, Fulcroms, Hind helicopters, ZSUs and of course the Scud Missiles that were the trademark of the Gulf War. To the best of my knowledge Iraq had not rebuilt their military to the point it would withstand a war with America, nor had they had anything significiantly new or diffirent.

[General Leang 0]

Wow... you're kidding, right? Thousands of our citizens were vaporized on September 11, 2001. We are at war, and our standard of living over here is just fine, despite what the horribly skewed left-wing media is telling you. Iraq was doing FAR more than just "doing wrong." Do you not realise how incredibly evil Sadam Hussein's regime was? Do you not see that the mass graves/torture rooms/rape rooms are now closed?? Do you care nothing for human rights??

 

I care about human rights, probably even more than you do. I too am sickened at the mass graves in Iraq, the beheadings, and am glad that America is there to fight the Iraqi insurgents. And true, September 11 was a horrendous act. An act that was perpetrated by Osama Bin Laden and his Taliban and Al Qaeda. In response to that, America and their allies attacked Afghanistan. They turned the country into a parking lot in their liberation of the country. The rule of Afghanistan was taken from the terrorists and thugs that made up the government and was handed back to the Afghani people, who are now able to vote who they want in power for the first time in years. America had not only brought justice to the Afghani people and the victims of September 11, they struck a very large blow against terrorism. Now Iraq may have been a threat, they may have had weapons that would strike America. But I do not believe that was the objective of the war. I believe it was to take our thoughts off Bin Laden, remove Saddam from power and an attempt to win favor with the rest of the world by once again showing their military muscle. Did Iraq have anything to do with September 11? If so, what? Did he threaten to attack in any way, shape or form? And would it not be better to have military forces at home to defend their country, rather than go off and invade another country and upset world politics in the process?

 

Have you not heard of a preemptive srtrike? Wouldn't you agree that it's better to attack a looming danger head on before it really materializes as a direct threat? We followed a similar doctrine in World War II when Hitler was sweeping through Europe (Mind you he NEVER attacked the US). Thank God we did.

 

I thought America only became involved in World War Two after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. I know they actively avoided getting involved, but I agree that America saved a lot of lives when they did. They helped fight back the Nazis who were on England's doorstep, the last free country in Europe. They liberated the Pacific that Imperial Japan had been so expected to win that they had currency printed for the countries they were set to rule over.

[BWare 0]

Interesting thoughts, Leang... I think we see eye to eye for the most part, actually. About the Iraqi war...

 

But I do not believe that was the objective of the war. I believe it was to take our thoughts off Bin Laden, remove Saddam from power and an attempt to win favor with the rest of the world by once again showing their military muscle.

If winning favor with the rest of the world was our objective, then I think we failed pretty miserably, don't you think :wink:? I don't think America needs to prove its military might...

 

Did Iraq have anything to do with September 11? If so, what? Did he threaten to attack in any way, shape or form?

Now here is an interesting question. My answer is that September 11th pretty much changed the world forever. It was a reminder that even the greatest nation on earth could fall victim to these country-less radical religious groups in a very dramatic way. We are a very vulnerable and exposed country, and with this awareness came the realization that rogue dictators with access to weapons of mass destruction (YES HE HAD THEM) and definite ties to terrorist groups (not necessarily Al Quaeda) simply could not be tolerated. It's a new world. Despots like Hussein were able to dodge the papers the UN threw at them for years, but in the wake of that great attack, we knew that the looming threat of Saddam Hussein had to be dealt with. WE needed to enforce the flimsy UN resolutions and end that deadly and dangerous regime, and today the world is better off for it.

 

I thought America only became involved in World War Two after the bombing of Pearl Harbour.

Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese. We attacked the Germans. The Japanese and Germans were allies. We realized that while the Germans had not themselves touched us, they still posed a threat.... somewhere in the future.... and we took action. The situation is VERY similar today. Iraq did not attack us, and as far as we know had no direct intention to do so, but they were powerful allies of our enemy. It actually seems pretty simple to me.

[Luk3us 63]

He HAD weapons of mass destruction. In all likelihood they are across the border in Syria right now. Sadam was no idiot.

 

Or Iran which ever suits the US in the future. I mean they have to justify these things to the world... Can't let those nasty weapons get in the wrong hands... hhehehehe bring on the nasty comments..

 

we ARE in fact the greatest nation in history. Name one greater!

 

Greece. Egypt. Mongolia. Macedonia (Mr Alex) Britian.. Perhaps you want me to list some more later on? :wink:

 

 

 

Now if I were a mod I might think about splitting this topic since it's obviously gone off on an entirely different tangent....

[J-Fire_Man 0]

Simple. We ARE the best "in the face of (:? mother earth." Who else is going to take care of/keep in check the other unruly countries out there... YOU? :roll: There is a need for us. Just try to see past your horribly irrational hatred for America and realize that we ARE in fact the greatest nation in history. Name one greater! Have YOU not picked up a newspaper recently?? Guess who's doing the majority of reconstruction work and donating the most money to your tsunami-afflicted region? WE ARE. Wow. How incredibly ungrateful...

Ohh :roll: Sorry to interrupt but Japan is the one who help us the most. For me, Japan is the best one. They don't act so arrogance like you.If I'm the president of Indonesia, I will let Japan to have some of the islands. America is JUST better for it's BIG land.

Greece. Egypt. Mongolia. Macedonia (Mr Alex) Britian.. Perhaps you want me to list some more later on?

Agree.

 

It was widely KNOWN that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Everyone agreed on that fact... hell, Sadam even used them on his own PEOPLE. He HAD weapons of mass destruction. In all likelihood they are across the border in Syria right now. Sadam was no idiot.

Ohh....then CIA is stupid. They even can't find the WMD in Iraq. Or, it might be you are the one who is stupid. For god sake listen to your own country Secretarial of Defense. No WMD was found in Iraq, and you STILL INSIST that there are some in Iraq? How pitiful...

[BWare 0]

Ohh....then CIA is stupid. They even can't find the WMD in Iraq. Or, it might be you are the one who is stupid. For god sake listen to your own country Secretarial of Defense. No WMD was found in Iraq, and you STILL INSIST that there are some in Iraq? How pitiful...

:roll: Wow. It really is like talking to a three year old.... now let me explain this in the simplest terme possible (just for you). Iraq HAD (past tense, mind you) WMDs (it wasn't just the CIA that knew and claimed this), we threatened to invade, and they likely smuggled what they had left over the Syrian border. As I said earlier, the last thing Saddam would want is to be caught with the condemned weapons.

 

America is JUST better for it's BIG land.

:lol: Are you serious??? Take a look at Russia genius... it takes more than land to be a great nation nowadays.

 

Greece. Egypt. Mongolia. Macedonia (Mr Alex) Britian.. Perhaps you want me to list some more later on?

Oh you have got to be kidding me. :lol:

The US is the greatest nation this planet has ever known. I am, of course, talking about its power AS WELL AS our righteousness and justice. We aren't just a bloody juggernaut like the Romans... we stand for equality and democracy. THAT'S why we are the targets of the absolute evil of groups like Al Qaeda.

I'll admit that Britain is up there, but remember that we broke from them because of their unjust monarch. From then we started a political experiment in justice and equality that has, even you must admit, been a raging success. We have led the way in every great human advance since our founding 200 short years ago, and now we are the sole superpower, and despite what crap you're being fed by the corrupt media, we do not abuse our power. It is truly a remarkable thing, and not to recognize that is a failure on your part. A big one.

 

Or Iran which ever suits the US in the future. I mean they have to justify these things to the world... Can't let those nasty weapons get in the wrong hands... hhehehehe bring on the nasty comments..

hehe... no nasty comments, Luk3us :wink:

I will point out, though, that these aren't some phantom thing used by our government to invade countries for no reason. What, I ask you, do we have to gain anyway? We are liberators and not occupiers, and we don't plunder their natural resources... I kinda wish we DID! Maybe then I wouldn't be paying $40 to fill up my car... :shock:

I'm just kidding, of course, but I can tell you that we are benefitting nothing that the rest of the world isn't... a stable and democratic "puppet government," as it has so cynically (and inaccurately) been called, benefits everyone.

 

 

 

 

Wow... I am really amazed at the irrational anti-american sentiment out there. What's wrong with you people?? J-Fire especially.... dude, after that tsunami disaster, how can you not at least ACKNOWLEDGE the good that America does? You say that Japan has done more to help... that may be, I don't know the numbers (I find it hard to believe...), but I DO know that we are doing a hell of a lot. Keep in mind, also, that we don't HAVE to do ANYTHING! We owe you nothing! But, despite the fact that we're at war and in debt, we are still there to bail out the victims of the disaster. How awesome is that?

[General immeyourenot 0]

I can name a lot of nations that are far morally superior to americans.

 

For one this ridiculous idea that america has the right to choose what is right & wrong, america is just a bunch of refugees from other countries mixed together. It has spending power & that is why it thinks it can rule the world, which puts it on the same level, no LOWER than the places that it critiscises like Iraq.

 

America critiscises needless war, it goes in on Vietnam & Iraq.

 

America condemns spying, an American Lockheed U2 spyplane is shot down over Russia by a SAM-2 & then bloody cheek of cheeks they call it a "weather plane", even though the pilot admitted to spying & the pictures were found.

 

America thinks it has the right to do what it wants in other countries. It should wake up to reality because someday its CORRUPT policies will have the whole world against it.

 

Those who would deny this are of no position to judge, America brainwashes its people into a false patriotism.

[BWare 0]

I can name a lot of nations that are far morally superior to americans.

Oh yeah? Name ONE.

 

For one this ridiculous idea that america has the right to choose what is right & wrong, america is just a bunch of refugees from other countries mixed together. It has spending power & that is why it thinks it can rule the world, which puts it on the same level, no LOWER than the places that it critiscises like Iraq.

oh, you stupid son of a... I won't finish that. How in the HELL can you POSSIBLY be stupid enough to think that America and Iraq are morally equivalent? If you truly believe that, then you are hopelessly screwed over mentally. Oh, and BTW, that statement of yours has some of the weakest logic I've ever seen. It could be funny, but I would say that it is more tragic. We do have spending power, so we DO, in some ways, rule the world. And no, we aren't composed of refugees.... everyone here WANTS to be here. People are clamoring to cross over our borders constantly. Who teaches you history? And yes, we WILL act on what IS RIGHT. It isn't a matter of perception... Saddam was an evil (UNIVERSALLY) threat to WORLD security, and we dealt with him justly. Those are the FACTS.

 

America critiscises needless war, it goes in on Vietnam & Iraq.

Wow. More foolishness. Vietnam was necessary... we had vowed to stop the spread of communism, and because of a crippling hippie anti-war movement in the US (and Europe), we allowed politics to interfere, and so we lost. Iraq is not needless in any way. The world is now short one psychotic, evil dictator, and tens of millions are now free. Tell them the war was "needless."

 

America condemns spying, an American Lockheed U2 spyplane is shot down over Russia by a SAM-2 & then bloody cheek of cheeks they call it a "weather plane", even though the pilot admitted to spying & the pictures were found.

Oh, you moron... when did America condemn spying in the Cold War?? We were batting back the commies who posed a GRAVE threat to the rest of the world, and we beat them. BE GLAD.

 

someday its CORRUPT policies will have the whole world against it.

What exactly is corrupt about America? How about a single piece of backing evidence? That would really be nice. :roll:

 

Those who would deny this are of no position to judge, America brainwashes its people into a false patriotism.

Okay, this pisses me off. Where the hell do you get that idea? The teacher (I have to assume you're in grade school....) that is currently brainwashing you into hating America? I am free to think as I wish and love my country as much as I want (I choose to do so). This foolish anti-americanism is rampant in the US too... no one here is brainwashed you moron.

[chickendippers 1]

America has become the most powerful because it has some of the best land in the world, Russia may be bigger, but it's snowing there most of the time so very little land is suitable for agricultural cultivation - unlike America.

 

The USA actually gives less aid per capita than many European countries. The country that donates the highest GNP per capita is something like Finland. Because there are more rich people in the USA in to give aid, the total is more.

[General immeyourenot 0]

Sorry BWare but you last post had me in hysterics. America, the best nation in the world, what a joke. Full of hippies & fat people who can't even be bothered to pledge any aid to Indonesia, your arguements got more & more retarded.

 

For a start America is hardly the best nation in the world, it is officially the fattest nation on the planet, gun crime is rampant, it pledges even less aid to Indonesia than countries far smaller than it.

 

America invaded Iraq, WITHOUT UN APPROVAL, you can't just go round doing things like that, the UN is their for a reason, to keep peace between countries, it is the UNs job to decide matters like that, NOT AMERICAs! As for me, I study A-level history in a grammer school, im counted as one of the top 15% of intellegent people in this country & my history teacher is highly qualified & has written books about such subjects, i learn from HIM. If you think you are better suited than him to teach me about history then show me some qualifications.

 

There is another thing that annoys me, COMMUNISM IS NOT AN EVIL & YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SUBJIGATE IT. The people of Vietnam wanted communism so why are they not allowed it? Because America says so? What a joke! Nescessary! If it was so nescessary then why didn't the rest of the world join in?

 

As for comdemning spying in the cold war, that was Eisenhower. FACT. The USSR was not threatening the rest of the world, tensions were high because of a number of circumstances, not the least of which is some derranged idea that communism is evil. If they want it they can have it. If you had really wanted to do something just then you would have helped hungary who actually didn't want communism, not try to "liberate" those that did.

 

The brainwashed comment came from something that me & an America had discussed together, he told me that Americans were forced to like america, to see the american point of view, I have no reason to doubt what he said. As for me being brainwashed into hating america, i don't, i don't hate america & i don't hate americans, but what i do hate is american policy.

 

I don't know where you get off thinking I hate America, I don't & i happen to have some very good friends who are American.

 

As for this, I think we should stop discussing it, not only is it highly off topic but it is also unnescessary, we are just going to have to agree to disagree, ok.I tink the two of us got off pretty badly, & since I don't like to have enemies I am going to take this time to appologise for anything that may have offended you & ask is we can forgive & forget. Tis far better to act maturely in such a situation.

[Saracen 16]

I have to say Immeyourenot you have really hit the hammer on the head there. I totally agree.

 

It's amazing how you've come from somebody who appears to of been an annoyance to someone I actually respect with some very good serious points of view... I'm impressed

[BWare 0]

ugh.

 

Communism, as it was practiced in Russia, WAS EVIL. That is, if you consider genocide and some of the worst oppression the world has seen a bad thing. I have every RIGHT to say that it was (and is!) evil. It was NOT the decision of the people; they were horribly oppressed. Opinions that differed from the party were snuffed out. It scares me that there are actually people out there who can't even recognize that :shock:. Revisionist history.......

 

And wow.... you sure have a strong argument there, calling Americans fat. You have me there :roll:. I fail to see how that's even relevant.... and no, we are not full of hippies. They are the EXTREME minority here (and seem to be the majority over there...). Since you're so into stereotypes, you should make the brilliant argument that we're full of braindead cowboys instead. Yeah.. that would be good. And then I could counter with an offensive comment about decadent, godless Europeans who waste time and have bad teeth! This is all so productive :roll:

 

Now you claim my arguments are "retarded" (classy). How about backing that up a bit? I see no real counterpoints in your post... maybe I'm expecting too much from you. Just go ahead and throw your stereotypes at me :lol:

 

Oh, and the tsunami aid thing.... you have GOT to be kidding me. Our government pledged $350 million, and privately there has been a MASSIVE outpouring of support and dollars. Keep in mind also... none of it is NECESSARY! We don't OWE Indonesia anything! We, as usual, are going above and beyond, and are still getting crap from people like you! Some people can just never be satisfied. What on earth do you expect??

 

And yes, we did go into Iraq without UN approval. I am proud of that! The UN is horribly corrupted, and they had FAILED in their attempts to contain Saddam for YEARS. In a post 9/11 world, we Americans knew that we couldn't afford the luxury of a psychotic dictator on the loose. We had to lead the world (as usual) and take decisive action. The UN is all but useless. It looks like a great concept on paper (all you seem to understand), but its APPLICATION is a failure.

 

As for the "brainwashing" thing... the American you spoke to was either an idiot or paranoid. It is just plain untrue. Patriotism is encouraged for the most part, and people are generally proud of their country (it's horrible, I know), but to say we are brainwashed is offensive and false. Besides, there is plenty to be proud of as an American. I see no harm in it.

 

 

I'm glad that you're showing some maturity... yes, I would like to stop bantering about a useless topic, but I just can't sit by while someone attacks my country unjustly and even claims that communism wasn't evil :shock:.

[Saracen 16]

2 Words...

 

"Observe China"

 

Now tell me their communism spouts evil and they are more scum than terrorists and you can have a cookie.

 

[General immeyourenot 0]

communism itself wasn't evil, nor was its principals evil, it was just the way that Russia practised it & used it as an excuse. Russian "communism" was not so, it was a dictatorship.

 

Anyway, to finsih the argument no country is perfect, every country does things that other countries don't like & everyone is entitled to an oppinion. But from now on, lets not go on ramping about it, it will create more problems than it will solve.

 

we are not full of hippies. They are the EXTREME minority here (and seem to be the majority over there...

Lol, there aren't many here either, i guess the whole hippie thing is overblown. :roll:

 

Oh & C&C King, i told you that I was a changed person . That big 22 page topic means nothing to me now! Can I have a cookie too?