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Do you want to know a secret?

"Brethren leader visits in secrecy" blazes the title of Nicky Hager's latest cloak and dagger report.

The two choices in describing a visit by 'a person of interest' are either 'well publicized' or 'secret'. If Al Gore visited (for example), he of course wouldn't do it in secret. He'd be open and honest, and publicize the visit as much as possible.

Open and honest, or trying to sell something? The Exclusive Brethren leader, on the other hand, has no interest in commercializing his visit. He's just visiting. Not visiting 'in secret'. Just visiting. Not 'required to explain why he was caught out on the streets after 9pm' Herr Hager, just visiting.

The visit might have remained a secret murmurs Hager, in conspiratorial tones, and noticing things like an 'unusual clandestine atmosphere'. Yes, security guards were posted. No doubt to keep away journalists who would do their best to characterize this as a secret, clandestine and suspicious meeting. After all, we are just four months away from an election. The atmosphere must be indeed tense.

With mists rolling in, a whole bunch of brand new cars also rolled in: "the church used to frown on material extravagance, but they arrived in a collection of brand new $100,000 dollar cars". Wow.

Were they rentals I wonder? (Shh, don't ask) Or have the Brethren finally succumbed to the ultimate crime? Yes comrades, they may have spent nearly as much on cars as our Prime Minister's recent purchase of a fleet of the most luxurious models of German engineered BMW's. They are obviously going for the "keep up with the Jones' strategy. Is there a law against that? There should be.

And here's a bit of disturbing intelligence. "Following the meeting [to discuss scripture with the members, leader] Hales was taken to the home of senior Wellington member Geoff Wallace. He was joined by senior Brethren men from around the country..."

Well, fancy them knowing the law so well, they've invoked "freedom of association"? Nothing wrong with catching up with others of course, but if you put 2 and 2 together, you have to be worried. Hales has enough money to stay in a hotel, but apparently visits Wallace. Others come too. It wasn't clear if they brought little Tupperware containers containing lammingtons and pikelets, but one must theorize that a goat was sacrificed, and great schemes were hatched long into the dark night.

At this point we have to be asking ourselves: "Should the Exclusive Brethren dare to print a brochure in the upcoming elections, in spite of all legislative efforts to stop them, will there be any way we can resist the messages contained therein?"

It's a secret that will have to wait.

Related Link: Secret Visit Disturbs Nicky's Spider Sense

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