Airfare is on record, but premier’s discussion isn’t

Never heard of Bilderberg? Google it for a heaping helping of conspiracy theory goodness: The “Bilderbergers,” as they’re known, are the planet’s secret puppetmasters, controlling and directing the global economy while stealthily laying the foundations of a single world government, don’t ya know?

That would be the “New World Order” you may have heard about.

Conspiracy theorists argue Bilderbergers cooked up everything from the energy crisis of the 1970s to global warming today, all with a view to planetary domination. Who knew Premier Gordon Campbell was so influential?

The annual Bilderberg meeting started in the 1950s, when Prince Bernard of the Netherlands promoted it as a way of preventing another world war, among other goals.

“One of the ideas was that, if you could get world leaders to sit down over dinner, they might be less likely to drops bombs on each other,” explained American writer Christopher Hodapp, author of the book Conspiracy Theories and Secret Societies For Dummies.

The yearly gathering has been going on ever since. Annual attendance is strictly limited, and delegates are sworn to secrecy about what’s discussed in the private meetings.

Participants come largely from the worlds of politics, industry, banking and media. The 2010 Bilderbergers included American diplomat Richard Holbrooke, former presidential adviser Richard Perle and perennial fixture Henry Kissinger.

Campbell was one of three Canadian participants. The others were former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna (now deputy chair of the TD Bank)and CB Canchorman Peter Mansbridge.

Campbell, as required by the Bilderberg code, has not revealed what he or anyone else discussed in Spain. “You’re not even allowed to take notes,” Hodapp said. “If they see you even pick up a pen, someone comes over and knocks it out of your hand.”

Security is strict. And the working media, of course, are not allowed inside. So what’s the point of it all?

“It flows from a firm belief that there needs to be a venue where heads of state and world leaders can sit down with their peers without light being shined up their butts by the media and every word and utterance being reported on the public record,” Hodapp said.

Did Campbell find the meetings useful? Hard to tell, of course, though now we do know his business-class plane fare to Spain was extremely pricey: $6,430.96, according to records obtained by Globe and Mail reporter Ian Bailey.

The Opposition NDP doesn’t have a problem with the price tag, but suggests Campbell could have found a better use for his time. Not sure I agree. Six grand for a private audience with world leaders is not the worst deal for taxpayers, and certainly lower than Michelle Obama’s recent trip to Spain with the kids.

I’d say we got off cheaply, though the conspiratorial whispers will continue.