Stalin's assistant enters his office "Sir! There is a man here who wants to see you. He claims to be able to see the future with perfect accuracy!" Stalin takes a puff from his pipe, and gives his order. "Execute him." The assistant obeys and the man is promptly executed. Later, with a lot of hesitation, the assistant asks. "Sir, why did you order this man's execution?" Stalin looks at him calmly, and responds. "If he could really see the future, he would've seen this coming, and I can't stand charlatans."