"In South Carolina, the roads that black people drive on are named after confederate generals who fought to keep black people from being able to drive freely on that road. That's insanity."
There's a lot of irony for all race-based hate to sit up and take notice of John Stewart's message as there is Pope Francis' encyclical.
Pope Francis challenges what some call cafe Catholics who walk when it suits and talk - but do very little when it doesn't'.
The draft is not a detailed scientific analysis of the global warming crisis. Instead, it is the pope's reflection of humanity's God-given responsibility as custodians of the Earth.
"The Earth is protesting for the wrong that we are doing to her, because of the irresponsible use and abuse of the goods that God has placed on her.
"We have grown up thinking that we were her owners and dominators, authorised to loot her," he said.
The Pontiff, who some are calling an eco-wolf in Pope's clothing, calls on people to change their lifestyles and energy consumption or face grave consequences before the end of the century.
Personally I believe we have 50 years max to get it right and it all starts by putting people before profit, as we are doing right now in our agriculture and horticultural practices, by squeezing out maximum yields from our whenua, with total disregard for the long-term consequences that our kids will inherit.
Colin Craig is a fallen star that no one in his party is prepared to catch, let alone pick up and put in their political pocket.
Poor old Colin thought it would be cool to do a hot interview in a sauna with the new star of TV3's late night show, but alas it bombed big time with his party's faithful and now not even Christine's galaxy-sized earrings can save him or the Conservative party.
Locally there is a new star in the making and that is Scott "Razor" Robinson, the coach of the winning Rugby World Cup under 20 team.
A home-grown Arataki boy, Razor Robinson adds to the world class wining surfing sons of Arataki.
Our ancestors surely must have seen the potential in a place that wasn't named Bayfair but Arataki - a place name that means "to pave the way forward" which they have for their community to follow.
For the week that was, the shooting stars of Matariki held the magic for many here in Tauranga Moana.
The exhibitions and workshops hosted by Te Puna I Rangiriri Trust were world class, culminating in a black tie dinner on Friday night that brought all colours and characters of the community together.
Guest speaker Rangi Mataamua told the story of Pohutukawa the first star of Matariki who collected up all of our loved ones, lost over the last year, and took them home to a safe place on the other side of the veil.
This had a very close and personal message that warmed the heart on a cold winter's night.
His story telling skills were captivating and worthy of his own star on Hollywood Boulevard.
Stars shot from the bow of belief are what the world needs now more than ever. Stars that carry hope, be they pontiff, political, poster boy or from the wisdom of a Matariki master are what we should all align ourselves to, if we want what is best for tomorrow's tamariki.
broblack@xtra.co.nz-Tommy Wilson is a best-selling author and local writer.
