EVERY SATURDAY MORNING we take a look at all the best comments left on the site by our readers over the past seven days.
This week there was a lot of talk about the Sinn Féin, hurling and Niall Kelly’s hair.
So here are the standout comments from the week that was.
The 5 most popular comments this week
1. Jim Walsh received 3,608 green thumbs for his critique of Sinn Féin’s economic plans.
Rubbish. Parts of their programme have been costed but not their entire programme. There was a huge hole in their last costings which was covered by a supposed “wealth tax” that was bringing in hundreds of millions according to Pearse Doherty.No details on what this “wealth” was because it wasn’t income because they were hiking that up for certain people. It wasn’t a tax on property or land because they’re getting rid of that. So exactly where was this money coming from. And interestingly this part wasn’t costed by the Department of Finance. And given that it was a 1% levy then you’d have to be tax €20 billion of wealth to raise €200 million. It just doens’t stack up at all.By the way for those who own a second home which is many ordinary people who bought them as investments and are now in negative equity you’re going to be landed with a €400 charge a year for it, way more than the current property tax. So many ordinary people won’t benefit at all from SF. They’ve manged to avoid mentioning that though.
2. Many UK residents were treated to their first live hurling match last weekend, with many of them reacting positively. PlayAgainstPar‘s musing earned him 2,502 thumbs up:
Imagine if they’d actually seen a decent game…!
3. Keith Redmond also received a lot of agreement – 2,187 thumbs to be exact – for his view of Sinn Féin.
Only for the fact, we’d end up heading for bailout two three and four with the Shinners in charge..I’d actually love to see them in government, faced with dealing with the real economics of the situation, and having to make the hard decisions, that would piss off their supporters who actually believe in their magical money tree.
4. And, back to the hurling, Colm Clarke also had some commentary on the madness that is hurling. He received 1,516 thumbs of the right colour.
Any time people ask me about it , I say ” helmets have just been made compulsory “. Ya should see mouths drop then.
5. Remember Ulster Bank’s infamous tech glitch? Richie Aprile did – to good effect and 1,463 thumbs – on an article about 14-year-old hackers.
Give those kids a job at ulster bank , training their IT people.
The top 5 articles which received the most comments this week
1. Archbishop calls for ‘full-bodied investigation’ into all mother-and-baby homes (434 comments)
2. Sinn Féin is now the most popular party in the State (409 comments)
3. Wheelchair-user hospitalised after incident at water meter protest in Raheny (305 comments)
4. 19 chippers to visit in Ireland before you die (266 comments)
5. Opinion: Climate change is the single biggest threat to winning the fight against hunger (236 comments)
Some of the best comments left on the site this week
There was an outpouring of grief on Monday as news came through of comedian Rik Mayall‘s death. robby rottenest left this lovely message.
He made me laugh hard and often. This is the first time he ever made me sad.
On Tuesday, SAFE Ireland‘s One-Day Census revealed that 467 women and 229 children were receiving accommodation and support from a domestic violence service. Anon Ymous told her own story, and asked us to challenge our own perceptions.
From reading some of the comments above, maybe we also need to discard some of the stereotypes we have about the victims and perpetrators of DV.I see references to guests on Jeremy Kyle; tattooed skinheads etc.I met my husband in Trinity College while I was completing my second degree and he was doing his PhD.He is not a skinhead. Doesn’t have any tattoos. He wears a suit to work and, if you meet him, you’ll probably walk away thinking, “he’s a really nice guy”. As I said already, most people commented on how lucky I was for meeting the “perfect man”.Nobody knows about the violence, other than the professionals I’ve reached out to for support. Nobody would guess. I’ve a separate makeup bag for bruises, black eyes etc. Green-tinted concealer hides red marks, yellow-tinted concealer hides purple bruises. Estée Lauder do a concealer that covers surgical scars. Cover it all with a good foundation and – ta da! – it’s all gone. Back to being the smiley, happy lady with the perfect life and perfect husband.
The sad part is, one in four women have experienced this so I’d hazard a guess that all of you with the incorrect stereotypes in your heads probably know at least one person in my boat. Could be your sister, best friend… Your stereotypes just keep them from opening up I’m afraid.
There was lots of talk this week about the Leaving Cert and E3 (click here if you don’t know what that is). So, it was understandable that M K got confused.
Oh thank god. I thought my leaving cert results were out
Any Home and Away fans out there? You’ll recognise Kim above. You may enjoy this comment from Joan Featherstone too.
I’ve posted this one before….my husbands name is KIM, yes it’s a male name (Kimberley is the female version). The amount of stick he got as I kid (mid 50′s now) was mad, and I always have to point out to people who don’t know us that’s he’s my husband not my lesbian partner…..we went very traditional and ordinary with our two ‘kids’. Ps I can ape him on the phone to the bank and utility companies lol.
Are you considered a shy person? There was lots of advice and support on offer this week from people who are just like you. Will Phillips had this to say.
Throughout my late teens and times in college, I was very socially awkward.I found it easier to just listen to people rather than engage with group chats. I wouldn’t go out much and was often really frustrated when people told me “You’re really quiet”. Like someone they think I didn’t know already.I started taking acting and drama lessons which does really help a lot. You learn better communication skills with yourself and also better listening skills to engage with others. Also Improv in particular really helps with unplanned situations.
It’s a slow gradual process, but people who know me have really noticed that I’m now more sociable and have come out my shell a good bit
Karen Gillen. We salute you for comparing the controversial suit to salted caramel.
Can’t explain it, on the one hand my brain thinks its like those kids games with three pieces and you pick a head, body and legs and make funny looking mismatched people – and yet on the other hand, somehow I kinda like it. Its like salted caramel all over again!
Wasn’t Teletext great? Setanta Landers and Ted Carroll remember the most useful pages.
Teletext 221 to get the premiership scores. Ah the anticipation only to watch the counter go by just as you press the page and have to wait for the fecking thing to come back around.
180 for now and next, great page and as handy as any guide that’s available now! Waiting for score updates on a Saturday at 16:45 on 221 was horrendous!
But Paul Murphy never quite got the hang of it.
I remember waiting for the score of a midweek match to come through and it was 1-0 for the whole game. It was only when it didn’t show full time I realised aertel hadn’t being updating and it finished a comfy 3-0. Shredded nerves for nothing!
We forgot to put a NSFW with sound warning on this piece. But, in fairness, Sandra Hennigan it was headlined with: “8 cringey bedroom antics we’ve all been involved in”
Thanks for the sexy music. Those waiting in the NCT centre with me really appreciated it!
In honour of Fathers Day tomorrow, here’s a story from Alan Kennedy.
My sister lives in Australia, she was pregnant, she was over due and ended up having a difficult birth on her own. My parents went to visit her just after their first grandchild from their only daughter was born.What did my Dad bring over?
A framed picture of his two dogs.
Yes. He loves them more than he loves his children.
There are a few great heads of hair among the men of TheJournal.ie (really, there is). So much so, that even you have started to notice. Following a visit by RTÉ’s cameras, SlyLad noted:
Not related to this article but Niall Kelly has a beautiful head of hair just seen it on the six one news in the background of Paul Fennesey’s interview
The response from Ronan Stokes was also pretty strong:
He gets it done in Peter Marks in Nutgrove, always has to be Jackie, very particular.
Check it out for yourself, here.
Spot any good comments? Send them through to us by email at sinead@thejournal.ie.
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