Shhh! World's Powerful People Are Meeting In Secret Again
There's "no detailed agenda, no resolutions are proposed, no votes are taken, and no policy statements are issued."
And as The Associated Press says, "what happens at Bilderberg, stays at Bilderberg."
But each year "The Bilderberg" brings together nearly 150 of the world's most powerful people (Henry Kissinger, David Petraeus, Christine Lagarde and others). So despite the secrecy — or, perhaps because of the secrecy — this weekend's gathering at the luxury Grove Hotel near London is drawing protests.
The demonstrators include, according to the AP, American talk-radio host and Sept. 11 "truther" Alex Jones. He's among those who believe these "masters of the universe," as the International Herald Tribune refers to the Bilderberg invitees, are part of an elite conspiracy that rules the world.
Bilderberg spokesman Xander Heijnen tells the AP there's nothing sinister going on:
"We disclose the date, the location, the participants and the key topics of the conference," Xander Heijnen said. "Many groups of people meet without announcing it publicly at all, without disclosing who is taking part and without giving any key topics."
"The meetings broaden the participants' range of viewpoints, help them to gain insights and exchange views," he said. "It seems illogical to argue that a meeting of individuals designed to give and obtain fresh insights, somehow 'undermines democracy.' "