Month: November 2010

Trying Firefox 4 beta again

Recently I gave Firefox 4 beta 4 a try but ended up removing it. As a beta it was not bad but I had some minor problems with Adobe Flash and the benefits were not enough to get me to keep it.

Firefox 4 beta 7 is another story. On a whim I installed it on my Windows 7 PC and it’s been smooth sailing ever since. It’s fast and I don’t seem to get any web page rendering issues. I use my browser for news reading, WordPress, Facebook (okay, almost ashamed to admit that one), etc. and some of the content is mixed and dynamic. With this new beta, the only thing that is different is the menu is hidden. Other than that, the experience is very smooth.

It’s definitely not for the casual user (I am not installing it on the shared iMac) but if you want to see what’s next then give it a try.

Go visit the American Airpower Museum

Yesterday while Lily was out with our daughter shopping and swimming (in that order) I took our son to the American Airpower Museum. On Veteran’s Day the museum dedicated a Sherman tank and I knew he wanted to see it.

You can see the photos I took Saturday as well as other days on my Flickr page.

My family routinely visits this museum. It’s like visiting the Smithsonian but more real and down to earth. Most of the planes on display are operational and others are being repaired. We didn’t get to see the Sherman move (there was a Navy ceremony going on) but we did get to take in the usual sights.

This museum combines history with tangible testimony. The staff are always helpful and can tell you some stories about the displays. If you are in Nassau county, or are on the western part of Suffolk county then do yourself and you kids a favor and stop by. It’s definitely worth it.

I think Margaret and Helen get it

This pretty much sums up the difference between Democrats and Republicans.

For instance, I have learned that when Democrats over-reach, we end up providing health insurance coverage for children who have pre-existing conditions. When Republicans over-reach, we go to war.

via Higher Ground « Margaret and Helen.

Margaret and Helen are always a good read. The job of an elected official is to get work done, and that usually means compromise.

Since President Obama started, the GOP have intentionally mis-categorized every effort and labeled his policies both fascist and socialist. Which is ironic because many GOP members do know the difference. They have essentially voted NO for everything and have not cooperated at all.

So now they will control the House of Representatives. Will anything get done? President Clinton was in similar straits and he managed to hand President Bush a vibrant economy and surplus.

Let’s see how President Obama does in the face of such ignorance and shameful pandering.

Election 2010

Today, like so many people, I voted once again. This year I am not making my usual joke about vote early and vote often.

This mid-term election has been brutal to watch on a national level. There is a lot of anger about the economy, about the wars, and about politics. And as usual, there are people who take advantage of that and stoke that anger.

Locally it has not been that bad, but the Tea Party candidates concern me. In NY we have Carl Paladino who is a businessman and unrepentant character. Good for him! But that wont get him elected to political office. Anger is not a solution and this state has some serious problems. After tonight I hope Carl starts a reality TV program.

In Nevada Sharron Angle is running against Harry Reid. Good luck Harry, you need it. From Mrs. Angle’s comments, political ads, and speeches, I think I can honestly say that Nevada maybe getting a proven racist and fear monger.

In Alaska She Who Quits anointed Joe Miller to replace Lisa Murkowski. He admires East German border guards and unleashes well dressed thugs on reporters. Okay, the Quitter really dislike Murkowski but honestly does she think she can ride Joe Miller’s coattail to the presidency in 2012?

In Kentucky they have Rand Paul. I don’t have anything negative to say about Rand Paul and like Scott Brown I don’t think he’s really a Tea Party candidate. He won the primary and is running a campaign. The head stomping event was ugly and the assailant has been charged with a crime. But aside from some ideas of his that I think are odd, he may make a fine Senator.

Christine O’Donnell. What can you say about her that has not been well documented already? I hope that after the election she can find meaningful employment. She’s got a lot of debts and that’s not funny.

I am comfortable with the GOP regaining the House. If they also overtake the Senate then we can expect 3 more years of do-nothing with witch hunt committees tossed in. But I’m okay with that too, it’s not the end of the world.

But I do hope the Tea Party candidates lose big. There is only so much bile this country can take.