Bilderberg 2012: Global Elite Gather For Conference At Virginia Hotel

WASHINGTON -- Conspiracy theorists, world leaders, protesters and lots of law enforcement officers are turning out for the annual invitation-only gathering of business and government elites being held at a Virginia hotel near Dulles International Airport outside the nation's capital.

The annual Bilderberg meeting, which started Thursday and wraps up this weekend is being held this year at the Westfields Marriott about 25 miles from the White House.

The meeting brings together "broad cross-section of leading citizens" for "nearly three days of informal and off-the-record discussion about topics of current concern especially in the fields of foreign affairs and the international economy" according to the Bilderberg website. The first meeting was held in 1954, at the Hotel de Bilderberg in the Netherlands.

Who the leading citizens are and the issues discussed has been a matter of much speculation, helping contribute to Bilderberg's shadowy reputation. One theory is that the Bilderberg participants are responsible for choosing the United States' next president -- or, at the very least, are choosing Mitt Romney's vice presidential runningmate.

British actor Charlie Skelton, who has reported on Bilderberg for the Guardian for a few years, suggests another big topic likely to come up:

Aside from the US presidency, the big debate of Bilderberg 2012 is likely to be: what in Hades do we do about Greece? The Eurozone is Bilderberg's biggest project, but it's been looking distinctly shaky of late. What's to be done?

As befits a somewhat secretive meeting of the world's rich and powerful, Bilderberg draws protesters. The Washington Times reports that because an especially large number of protesters expected this year, security at the hotel has been beefed up to what some are saying is an "unprecedented" level:

A perimeter of about a half-mile has been set up around the Northern Virginia hotel, and all non-Bilderberg guests reportedly were kicked out of their rooms. A photographer for The Washington Times was told by law enforcement Wednesday that any attempt to get close to the building would result in arrest.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is among the rich and powerful expected at this year's Bilderberg meeting, being held at a hotel in Northern Virginia

Just a few years ago in this same decade, you would get ridiculed and be called a conspiracy theorist for mentioning this. Now, it seems it's out in the open. Crazy huh?


SOURCE: Huffington Post