P.C. Gone Mad

For those of you who thought I was being paranoid when I wrote about the Packaging Council last month, I finally have vindication. For those who thought I was overreacting, exaggerating the Machiavellian manipulations of this shadowy organisation, I give you this: "Packaging Council accused of meddling in contract".

The Packaging Council, the industry body that co-ordinates big-company policy on throwaway packaging, has been accused of stepping in to stop a Government-funded contract being awarded to a company that had criticised it.

So we've moved on from not knowing who the Packaging Council is, but I can't help but feel that we're only halfway there. If Whanganui's gangs got together to form an Intimidation Council, would the Herald run articles claiming that the Intimidation Council had been accused of starting fights, drug dealing and vandalism? I suspect not. So why would the article simply not say that companies who use packaging are being accused of meddling in a contract? Honestly, Herald - you know that this is exactly why these ridiculous organisations get started, right?

Envision director Warren Snow wants compensation for the lost contract - which he estimates cost $60,000-$100,000, including work the company turned down.

In January, council president Mark Brosnan expressed "regret" about the incident in a letter to Envision.

But the council denies any financial liability and says Mr Curtis [the PC chief exec] was acting as an advocate for its members.

Now I just don't understand what is going on. Go on, read the article. It's like watching a thriller with a huge ensemble cast.* 'Who's that guy? Is he working for that first lot? Why is he after that other guy, I thought they were friends?'

*Disclaimer: May not be as exciting as actually watching a thriller.