[isostatic]

This article loads just fine without needed any cookies, just curl it (via a US server) and load it. If that works, why do they need to set any cookies? Some sites need session cookies to maintain login details from request to request, that's fine. Some sites may offer the option to use cookies to save your login from one visit to the next, that's also fine, ask if they want that.

Most sites don't need to set any cookies though, so why bother asking permission.

[lxglv]

I would suppose, that’s not the essential functionality reuirement, rather an ad tracking one.

[isostatic]

Ahh, well in that case at least be honest.

"This site costs money, accept our cookies while we sell your personal information for a fraction of what it's worth or you can't see it. We value your personal data at 6 cents, as that's what the 300 companies we sell it to will pay us."