Kill one person,
it’s called murder;
kill millions,
it’s called abortion.

I’m a little late to this party, but I’d like to throw in my 2¢ regarding Apple’s newest release of the Safari browser.  I heard from Chris Pirillo that it was awesome, several leaps beyond Firefox.

I beg to disagree.

1. Before I even learned of Chris’ Safari fanaticism, Apple tried to push Safari on me with their Apple Software Update application.  Apple has become insidious in this way, just like Microsoft.  I didn’t know Apple Software Update was installed, so I uninstalled it.  I’ve also uninstalled iTunes, since WinAmp can manage iPods now.  (And yes, I have Windows Automatic Updates turned off.  I, and I alone, will decide when software is added or updated on my computer.)
2. Firefox was several leaps beyond Internet Explorer, and I’ve become quite accustomed to Firefox functionality.  One thing Firefox can do that Safari cannot is set links that want to open new windows, to open new tabs instead.  When I click a link, and an entire new Safari window is opened, I’m annoyed.
3. Unlike Chris, I ran into many, many pages that did not render correctly in Safari.  I don’t know if this is the fault of the web developers, or the fault of the browser developers, but I really don’t care.  When I use Safari, web pages look screwed up.
4. Another sweet thing Firefox can do is open several websites, all in different tabs, when I click the home button.  Safari would do well to incorporate similar functionality.
5. Safari is difficult to see.  The black text blends into the dark gray background and I can’t quickly tell what it says, especially from far away.  Is there a way to change colors or themes?  This would make it a lot more usable.
6. Google Spreadsheets don’t work as well in Safari.  I can’t use the arrow keys to navigate between cells, and switching back and forth between keyboard and mouse gets cumbersome quickly.

If I am incorrect about any of these things, especially confusion about the functionality, please let me know.  If there are quick fixes to any of these issues I will happily look at Safari again.

This editorial from the Wall Street Journal addresses the recent debacle out of California: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120614130694756089.html

Do parents really need to be certified to teach their children?  What would a parent need to do to get certified?  Show mastery of educational history?  Understand classroom management techniques?  Attend seminars designed to show teachers how to teach homosexuality?

I’m not a certified teacher, but I can read, which means I don’t have any trouble following any of the thousands of pre-planned lessons available to anyone who wants them.  I also love my children, which means I care enough to make sure they know how to be respectful, how to be honest, and how to stand up for what is right, in addition to the 3 Rs.

The California case involves a couple who allegedly abused their children.  If true, that is a shame.  There are laws against child abuse, and when abuse occurs the children ought to be helped and the parents dealt with.  But remind me what this has to do with homeschooling?

There is no cause and effect relationship between school and child abuse. Any parent, regardless of the educational status of their children, can abuse their children.  Using the logic of the California court, we could just as easily pull all abused children out of public school, because, who knows, maybe the school is causing the parents to abuse the children?  And let us not forget, many, many children are abused by their public school teachers.  Why don’t we require those children to be removed from the schools?

Like the writer of the WSJ editorial, I would like to know where the presidential candidates stand on homeschooling.  Specifically, do they believe parents need to be certified in order to teach their children?  The answer to that one question would go a long way toward helping me make up my mind in November.

I am of two minds regarding the Elliot Spitzer news.

Spitzer was like a super-hero, capable of single-handedly bringing powerful, multi-national investment companies to their knees.  This guy brought a lot of change to Wall Street.  Hearing of his downfall is a little like hearing that Luke Skywalker has turned to the dark side.  I just want to scream, “Why?”  How could he let this happen?

The other side of me is a little giddy.  Finally, this dork that caused all this trouble on Wall Street is shut up.  He has caused investment companies no end of new hoops to jump through, i’s to dot, t’s to cross.  Whatever he does for the rest of his life, he will no longer strike fear in people’s hearts.   Good riddance.