There are parallels. When I was a member watching GC I was always struck by how the GAs lined up on the stand in their almost identical suits reminded me of the leaders of the old USSR lined up on the Red Square balcony to watch the May Day Parade.
When the new conference building was newly completed a gentleman with extensive knowledge of eastern europe told ms it looked like the headquarters building of the secret police in Romainia.
If Mark Twain thought the BofM was "chloroform in print" then he should have attended a General Conference. Staying awake is an exercise in self-abuse. How do those guys learn how to all speak in the same cadence? If you won't let the congregation drink coffee then you better give them something that keeps them awake.