Avatar: The Last Airbender2005

Sokka:
Why won't you let us talk to the King? We have information that could defeat the Fire Nation!

Long Feng:
The Earth King has no time to get involved with political squabbles and the day to day minutia of military activities.

Aang:
This could be the most important thing he has ever heard.

Long Feng:
What's most important to his royal majesty is maintaining the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se. All his duties relate to issuing decrees on such matters. It's my job to oversea the rest of the city's resources, including the military.

Katara:
So the King is just a figurehead.

Toph Beifong:
[Furious] He's your puppet!

Long Feng:
Oh, no, no! His majesty is an icon, a god to his people. He can't sully his hands with the hourly change of an endless war.

Sokka:
But we found out about a solar eclipse that will leave the Fire Nation defenseless. You could lead an invasion...

Long Feng:
[Stands up suddenly, cutting Sokka off] Enough, I don't want to hear your ridiculous plan! It is the strict policy of Ba Sing Se that the war not be mentioned within the walls. Constant news of an escalating war will throw the citizens of Ba Sing Se into a state of panic. Our economy would be ruined. Our peaceful way of life, our traditions would disappear. In silencing talk of conflict, Ba Sing Se remains a peaceful, orderly utopia. The last one on Earth.

Katara:
You can't keep the truth from all these people. They have to know.