Sam Alito and the Cookie Monster

[maxrandb]

Sam reminded his child that he was NOT allowed to have a cookie and put the cookie jar on the high shelf.

When Sam returned, he was shocked to see the cookie jar shattered on the floor and all the cookies gone.

Sam was angry when he found his child, covered with cookie crumbs, shards of ceramic, and chocolate chips smeared on his face, but then Sam thought...

I told my child he "couldn't have a cookie", I never said; "he couldn't have all the cookies."

Then Sam thought; I told my child he could "use the stepladder to reach high objects, so, he was authorized to use the stepladder".

Sam was perplexed. Using the stepladder was an official act, so, how can I hold my child accountable for engaging in an official act?

Sam decided to ask his wife to decide the matter, after all, she would be back from her trip in a few months. What's the harm in waiting on such a complex and difficult decision?

Sam was further confused:

- When I set the "no cookie rule", did I specifically name this child? Maybe it wasn't "clear" the rule applied to this child, because I didn't specifically mention him by name?

- What if the child really wanted the cookies, and the relevant concern would be the actions he might be compelled to engage in to get the cookies?

Sam puzzled and puzzled til his puzzler was sore and decided to sleep on these "weighty questions".

In the middle of the night, Sam's child snuck into his room and murdered Sam in his sleep.

As Sam's life was waining and his last breath was leaving him, Sam thought; "maybe this is an official act.