Most of you remember the story:
The Emperor's New Clothes, first published in 1837, is story by Hans Christian Andersen about two con-men who promise an Emperor a new suit of clothes that could not be seen by anyone who was stupid, incompetent or unqualified for the position held. This apparently was common knowledge because when the Emperor went on parade before his subjects in his new clothes, although the Emperor's ministers cannot see the clothing, they pretend that they can for fear of appearing unfit and the Emperor also goes along. Citizens go along with this, not wanting to appear unfit for their jobs, incompetent or stupid. Then a child in the crowd, too young to understand the desirability of keeping up the pretense, blurts out that the Emperor is wearing nothing. Observers, more concerned about their government than pretense also begin pointing out that the Emperor is naked. The Emperor cringes, suspecting the assertion is true, but continues the parade.
Of course, the only outcome of this is the eventual embarrassment of the Emperor and his cabinet.
Fast-forward 277 years and a few changes have occurred – but little.
·Ministers are now Cabinet Members.
·The network news, not in existence then, has come on the scene to support the Emperor.
·Observers have remained the same.
·That 5-year old child, who pointed out the discretion, has become a 90-year old former Emperor.
·That 90-year old Emperor has morphed into an Observer concerned about the government.
·This time, not only did this nonagenarian point out that the Emperor has no clothes but that he also has no balls.
·The Emperor doesn’t cringe, believes in his heart that none of it is true and continues on parade.
·Neither the Emperor nor his Cabinet are embarrassed by anything. (Well, some comments by former a CIA Director and SecDef might be an exception.
·The network news continues to support the naked Emperor sans balls.
The Emperor's New Clothes
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