If it is as you say, than that has strayed quite a bit and is not healthy. However, to generalize I feel like the agenda is somewhat disingenuous. I have not found anything to support your claims and have visited meetings in the East Coast, Canada, West Coast, Singapore, Germany, London, and Korea.
I have found "bad apples" in many meetings however, but never a whole meeting built around a rouge member. I am not saying this is not possible though. You should feel lucky you are not in that town 4th.