IE focus issues on input element
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I'm having some issues with text inputs in IE.  Firstly, when a text `input` element has focus, and I click on another element, the click won't register as a click; rather, it only removes focus from the `input` element.  

For example, while the text `input` has focus, I have to click an element twice in order to fire its `onclick` handler - once to remove focus from the `input` element and once to actually register a click on the other element.

Secondly, the input box will often show a blinking cursor, but I'm unable to actually enter text until I click on the box.  This happens consistently after I've already entered text and pressed "enter" - the cursor stays in the box, but I'm unable to enter text.

Is this just how IE handles input boxes?  Is there a way to work around these abnormalities? It makes for a very unintuitive UX.