A famous one from the Stalin era
Stalin is giving a long speech at an event, naturally in front of a huge audience. While he's in full flow,
somebody near the front of the hall sneezes. Stalin stops and surveys the crowd.
"Who sneezed?" he asks.
Deathly silence.
"I repeat," says Stalin, "who sneezed?"
Not a peep.
"Very well," says Stalin. "First row, stand up!" Everyone in the first row stands up. "Guards! Open fire!"
A few seconds later, the entire first row of the audience is lying in bloody heaps on the ground.
"Now, who sneezed?" Still not a whimper. "Second row, stand up! Guards! Open fire!" The second row
writhes and breathes its last.