Editorial: Breast is not best on Anzac Day

OPINION: Nothing gets people's knickers in a twist quite like the prospect of porn stars coming to town.

When New Zealand's king of porn, Steve Crow, announced he was going to bring his x-rated Erotica Lifestyles expo back to Palmerston North it was always going to engender a divided reaction.

And it has.

There's very little grey area when it comes to the porn industry. People are either in the "it doesn't worry me/I like it" category or they are vehemently against it.

Supporters have called opponents of such expo prudes, and would suggest people turn a blind eye to the event and simply not attend if they don't like it.

On the flipside, people who were "anti" it would cite everything from moral degradation to exploitation.

There is very little room for negotiation.

All of this serves to promote the event for free. The people who run the show know this and realise that for every person who mentions the event, well, that's just another mind and set of eyes that focuses on their "product".

What's different this time around is that the promoters have their eye on holding the expo over Anzac Day weekend next year.

To his credit, Palmerston North RSA president Gary Griggs has been restrained in his comments about the clash, but has rightly said the expo could be upsetting to some veterans and their families.

He said it wasn't an appropriate time for the event and, of course, he's right.

Bringing Erotica to town will rile enough people as it is, but doing so on or around April 25 goes a step too far.

There are only a few untouchable days on the calendar and, in New Zealand, Anzac Day is definitely one of them.

It would be an incongruous and unpalatable combination to have a solemn and poignant occasion such as Anzac Day marked in The Square followed by a loud, brash Boobs on Bikes parade in the same space, for example.

Some cities larger than Palmerston North might be able to get away with it because there would be some degree of separation.

Out of respect, the organisers of Erotica should look at rescheduling the dates. A small backdown now could save a lot of anguish further down the track.

ONE MORE THING

It has been interesting watching the Rodney Hide sideshow phase out and the Hone Harawira main attraction take over. Both men, from polar opposite political views, have acted like prize plonkers over the whole travel perks saga.

I have had the finger pointed at me this week for being "gutless" for not writing my opinion on the matter.

But, what is there to say when there has been, and will be, so much more media coverage? Both guys acted like idiots: end of story.