Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Poland Goes To The Movies

Now, I understand that there has been a horrific tragedy, the lifeblood of a country, an incomprehensible loss of human life.

Yet, when I caught this article, it immediately came to mind;



Late Poland president's twin runs to replace him

Polish opposition party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Monday he will run in summer elections to replace his twin brother, the incumbent president who was killed in a plane crash.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski said he will run to continue the mission of his brother and others killed in the crash.

"The good of Poland is a common duty that requires an ability to overcome personal suffering, to undertake the task despite a personal tragedy," Kaczynski said.

"This is why I have taken the decision to run for the president of Poland. I have the family's support in this decision."

Enter, stage left, Kevin Kline.

Remember "Dave", where "In a country where anybody can become President, anybody just did?"



More, from Wikipedia;
Dave Kovic (Kline) runs a temporary employment agency in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., and, as a side job, makes appearances impersonating President William Harrison "Bill" Mitchell (also portrayed by Kline), whom he greatly resembles. He is drafted by Mitchell's Chief of Staff Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) to make an exit at an appearance of President Mitchell, to cover up Mitchell's extramarital affair with White House staffer Randi (Laura Linney).

When the real President Mitchell suffers a stroke during the affair that leaves him in a coma, Bob Alexander sees an opportunity. Along with Communications Director Alan Reed (Kevin Dunn), Alexander arranges for the President's comatose state to be kept secret. They then con Dave into impersonating the president on an ongoing basis by telling him that the country would suffer if the truth was revealed or if Vice President Gary Nance (Ben Kingsley), who they say is mentally ill, took office. Nance is not mentally ill, but rather an upright politician who had refused several of the real Mitchell's underhanded dealings. Due to this, Nance has been sent on a series of extended diplomatic exercises intended to keep him away from the White House.

Apart from Alexander and Reed, only his Secret Service bodyguard, Duane Stevenson (Ving Rhames) and the medical staff tending to the real President Mitchell in the White House basement (being paid by Reed), know the truth. Neither Mitchell's mistress Randi nor First Lady Ellen Mitchell (Sigourney Weaver) are informed of the switch.

Okay, not a perfect "life imitates art", but pretty darn close ....


Bonus Riffs

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