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 an anti-bullying workshop, water protesters and fluoride really gets you riled up.
So here, in no particular order, are the standout comments from the week that was.
The 5 most popular comments this week
1. In top spot with 3,487 thumbs up is Hal Pacino who asks a question about Coláiste Eoin’s decision to postpone an anti-bullying workshop over fears about balance.
So there’s an argument for bullying gay people?
2. Gary O Leary got 2,937 for showing his sympathy to the dog, pictured above, who died after being severely abused.
The poor thing, on the verge of tears having read that.. Would make you loose faith in humanity.
3. Footage of the President being heckled by water protesters caused a storm this week. Francis Fakeman got 2,493 thumbs up for this:
There is a video. It’s pretty clear to see the protesters discredit themselves. The video made its way to the public domain because it was uploaded by those same protesters, not by the media. I’m no fan of of the gutter media but this video only shows ignorant people acting disgracefully and damaging the wider cause.
4. Gráinne O’Leary takes issue with the USC (which the Tánaiste said this week could not be abolished overnight). She got 1,959 green thumbs.
But it was fine to bring it in over night! With promises that it will be removed! Grrrrrrr
5. This week, we heard about the Limerick farmer who tackled a fellow airline passenger trying to open the plane’s door mid-flight. Jimmy Murphy got 1,850 thumbs up for this:
Only an Irishman could compare the threat of an impending aviation disaster to an All Ireland final!
The top 5 articles which received the most comments this week
1. Poll: Are you in favour of water fluoridation? (453 comments)
2. Students to protest over school’s cancellation of homophobic bullying workshop (440 comments)
3. Wide condemnation of ‘midget parasite’ abuse of President Higgins (420 comments)
4. Man who called the President “midget parasite” is main organiser of mass anti-charges rally (415 comments)
5. ‘Yes’ side enjoys massive lead in same-sex marriage debate, but how secure is it? – Poll (294 comments)
Debate of the week
On a piece about compulsory PE, Aislinn Walsh argues:
The workload related to the curriculum in primary schools is already stretched to its limit. Government and parents already want more literacy and maths taught. Parents have to take some responsibility for their children’s health.Teachers aren’t making the breakfasts or lunches. Teachers already address healthy eating through the SPHE curriculum and all children do receive physical education, however, realistically what can they do when parents don’t provide healthy food at home?
Most schools have teachers that voluntarily give up their time after school to train students in different sports.
People can’t keep passing accountability onto other people for their child’s nutrition. The children aren’t making the dinners or buying the shopping.
We talk about childhood obesity all the time but if a doctor even brings up the subject about a child’s weight I’ve heard of parents getting annoyed with said doctor and that’s a health professional. I’d love to be a fly on the wall if a teacher dared mention a child’s weight.
While Chris Steele says:
I think some of you are missing the point. The subject is called Physical EDUCATION. As teachers we educate young children in each of the different subjects, so why cant we educate the children in physical education. Yes there are time restraints and in some cases physical restraints to teaching Physical Education, however there are ways round it. Also in order to educate a child in this subject you dont just do soccer or GAA, you teach them health related fitness, you teach them HOW to play a game, you teach them how to take their heart rate, you teach them how to execute a skill. Within Physical Education you can also get children to describe, explain, analyse, demonstrate and apply aspects of what they are learning. For example a scheme of learning, after all the child is learning, in health related fitness is about educating the child in how they can be fit, how they can be fitter, what sorts of exercise they can do and at what level, what practical testing they can do to know that they are making improvements, what dietary requirements are needed to help them stay fit to name but a few. Within games educate the child to work together as a team member as well as introduce them to skills, within athletics get them to perform to the best that they can to demonstrate that personal goals can be achieved. Yes there are those of you who will like this and those of you who wont, however for those of you who dont, answer this question. What other subject can promote physical, social and mental development for every child in the classroom, allowing them to challenge themselves at their own level and prepare them for continual life long learning in exercise?
Thought of the week
Ignoreland asked the big question on discovering that scientists can no unboil an egg.
This is cool, but can they un-chicken an egg?
Other standout comments of the week
Last weekend marked the second anniversary of garda Adrian Donohoe’s death. There were lovely tributes left for him and his family.
From Nathan Conroy:
RIP Adrian, my thoughts are with Caroline, Kids, your family and colleagues!! I pray to god justice is served for your families and societies sake. Sleep well fallen Hero.
And aurilton
Adrian left for work, closing the door behind him …… never to open it againThis is what all Gardai and emergency services have to deal with ….. will they return to their families after their shift
…….. Or will the door never reopen
steve cummins had a lovely Christmas story for us. Just 327 days to go!
The week before Christmas I had DHL deliver an electric guitar as a Santa present. I missed the delivery but noticed a missed call. I rang the driver who promptly turned around and came back to my house. He guessed that the gift was a surprise and as it was in an obviously guitar shaped box he went to great lengths to help me sneak it into my home.
During his busiest week of the year he showed amazing customer service.
I contacted DHL directly to tell his managers and a week later the guy sent me a lovely text thanking me for making the effort.
Finally, we’re just going to leave this here.
See any good comments? Send them on to sinead@thejournal.ie
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