EDITOR'S COMMENT: Dream dinner party guest list a mix of colourful characters

A few weeks back I was feeling brave and nominated a couple of characters who would feature in my dinner-party-from-Hell invitation list.
An interesting night would have been had by all if these characters had have been present but I don't really want to go there.
But it made me think about the opposite end of the spectrum - who would I want at my dream dinner party.
As I sat down to consider the invitation list, I realised that the people I chose would say a lot about me and my character.
If I invited the reigning president of the Ku Klux Klan, I'd reckon you would have a pretty good idea about what sort of despicable character I was.
Rest assured the KKK president is not my sort of man (and I guess I could still be a despicable character - some think so anyway).
Now, without wanting to sound too cliched, the first three seats at my table would be easy to fill - my wife and best friend Kathy, Nelson Mandela and singer Bono.
I imagine former President Mandela would have a fairly full book around the world for dream dinner parties.
There would be many millions of people around the globe who, like me, have been inspired by the gentle yet determined leadership he has shown his people throughout his lifetime.
If any man could harbour hatred, Mandela would be that man yet he only spreads a message of peace.
And Bono, lead singer of pop/rock group U2, would share nearly as many dinner tables as Mandela, I'd think.
Putting aside a 20-year devotion to the music of U2, I admire the work Bono, or Paul Hewson to his mum, puts into making the world a better place.
There are plenty of rock stars out there who are simply contented to enjoy the trappings of fame and aren't too bothered about giving anything back.
But wherever there is a cause that needs fighting for, Bono is not far away and he uses the vehicle of his music to let the world know a few home truths.
I still have two seats left - who to invite.
If my dinner party had been held 10 years ago, the Pope would have been a shoe-in.
Although I am not Catholic and I don't agree with some of the decisions of his church, he has been an inspirational leader who has devoted his life to his beliefs.
Unfortunately these days he is a mere shadow of the man he once was and the compassionate side of me wishes that he be allowed to die with some grace and dignity.
I certainly can't understand why Catholics prayed for his recovery when he had his breathing difficulties recently. Surely, at the very least, he should be allowed to retire as his body is no longer up to the task.
But I digress.
I guess if I was to be honest, I would have an invitation open for Aussie supermodel Elle Macpherson.
She has always brought a twinkle to my eye and her rather colourful life would mean she would be invited for more than just her looks.
And just to keep the man/woman balance up I might head over to the United States and give the final nod to Hillary Clinton.
I wouldn't be the only one who felt Mrs Clinton was more than the First Lady during Bill's reign.
She is certainly an imposing woman and her thoughts would be intriguing whatever side of the political fence you sat on.
And let's face it, she is a likely presidential contender in the future and who knows, maybe America's first female president.
So there you have it - my dream dinner dates - Kathy, Nelson, Bono, Elle and Hillary.
Who would be your five guests at a dream dinner party?
If you'd like to share your thoughts with me and the reasons behind your selections (in 300 words or less), email them to editor@bopp.co.nz or by post to Dream Dinner, c/- The Editor, Bay of Plenty Times, Private Bag 12002, Tauranga.