EVERY SATURDAY MORNING we like to take a look at all the best comments left on the site by you, our lovely users, over the past week.

There was a lot of anger out there this week, against Department of Health cutbacks and against the Catholic Church’s handling of child abuse among other issues. But you also found a way to share suggestions, tips and a bit of fun (see the following comments). Thanks for that.

Vincent had doubt about the authority of the Church to comment on sexual issues or romantic relationships in the light of the reviews of how dioceses and orders managed allegations of child abuse by clerics:

What do all the holy joes have to say about this that have been so vocal in opposing same sex marriages? Church against union of loving couples while hiding this horrible abuse. This should stick to rooting out their own evils and dealing with that before they preach their narrow views.

The column by secondary school principal Arthur Godsil on why he believes the Leaving Cert exam is a redundant assessment system stirred up a long thread of debate on alternatives. You also came up with some creative suggestions on what changes you might make to the education system, had you the power and funding.

Michelle Rogers thought of this:

Positive mental health – how to look after your mental health? Young people want this.

reds had this to say:

No religion. More teaching on Law, Taxes and other useful information that people never seem to know much about but need almost every day of their life.

And zozimus had a lot to say. It’s too long to include but worth a read if you click here. As did Tomy Iona:

Get rid of schoolbooks.
Lengthen the school day by lengthening class times.
Lengthen the school year.
A mix of continuous and terminal assessment with multiple assessment modes to suit learners.
Level the playing field between subjects – some are seen as an “easy A”.
Make options other than 3rd level more attractive.
Find a way to change attitudes so blindly aligned to unions.

We were educated somewhat by Karswell, who pricked the bubble of the Aryan myth favoured by Nazism:

The Aryan myth is the silliest part of it all. The best proof that, far from being rational and scientific, the Nazis believed in a ridiculous hotch-potch of occult and new age absurdity. Yes, the Aryans were an ethnic group that originated in northern India. Yes, they probably had fairer skin than more southerly Indian ethnic tribes. But no, they would not ever have been classified as Caucasian. It’s a bit like saying a pineapple is a superior form of a banana.

Also in the interest of sharing, Frank2521 left this interesting reminiscence on a story about the Blackrock outdoor public baths, which are to be demolished due to safety concerns:

One world champion diver (Eddie Hearn – local bookmaker) who beat Johnny Wesmuller (Tarzan) in the world games dived it the baths most days  up to his 80s. Was favourite to win an Olympic medal but the games were boycotted because of the war.  Truly a great diver and it was great to see him at his age diving off the high board.

Best shares of all though came on an article about a show in the ABSOLUT Fringe festival in Dublin where the performers relate their embarrassing ‘Oh Fuck Moment’ (the show’s name!) to the audience. Among those sharing on our site was MEP Phil Prendergast:

I once sent a card to a friend who had a bereavement , and one to another who had a baby…….you can guess the rest,……it’s an awful feeling.

In a week marked by anger and protests against the Government’s health cuts announcement, Anne Kennedy’s powerful first-person piece which gave a glimpse into life with disability in this country evoked strong emotion. Her sister, Dr Margaret Kennedy, backed up Ann’s experience in the comments section with great authority and passion:

Yes, my twin has a huge array of medical conditions, Dystonia, Sjogrens, Arthritis, Neuro-muscular degeneration (myopathy) partially deaf, Crohn’s Disease (half of her bowel is removed already)… Her feet are a mess due to total inaction over special shoes for years. She is in terrible pain due to ill fitting shoes and some falls have been attributed to this. her benefits are stretched to the limits…don’t doubt her…be outraged for her.

We were impressed by Stray Mutt‘s willpower – and budgeting strategy – when we mentioned that pub sales are continuing to fall:

Gave up cigarettes 8 years ago ( thanks to my children )
Gave up drink 6 months ago.
The joint savings will buy you a new car after a couple of years.
Best move ever.

One-liners were out in force. JP Sherry on the virtues of bacon:

I could eat pork till the cows come home, then it’s beef.

Then there was this. Not just a one-liner; not just a comment of the week. This has got to be the suggestion of the year. We’re on it, Philip Kelly.

Berlusconi and Putin should have chat show or an advice column.