Wow! Here we are. It’s the fourth Friday in 2019, (and in the month)!

It’s been another weird week. And I’m not just talking about the news. It’s more than a little worrying how many of my co-workers are sick, taking care of a sick kid at home, or (like me) still don’t feel fully recovered from being sick recently.

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five science stories, five stories about the shutdown and the deplorable people causing it, and five videos (plus things I’ve written).

Stories of the Week:

‘Does Israel Have A Right To Exist’ Is A Trick Question.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Noah Webster, the Inventor of American English .

The government’s secret UFO program has just been revealed, and it’s something out of a sci-fi movie.

Data Broker That Sold Phone Locations Used by Bounty Hunters Lobbied FCC to Scrap User Consent –.

Gizmodo: Trump’s Social Media Pictures Are Often Manipulated to Make His Body Thinner and Fingers Longer

Queer stories of the Week:

Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa: ‘Black, gay experience isn’t often told’.

Veteran teacher: Karen Pence’s school erases LGBTQ people; that damages children .

Gay couple hospitalized following attack by a group of men in Austin.

Trump gives South Carolina foster agency the right to discriminate against LGBTQ & Jewish people.

Vehmently Anit-gay Rev. Ernest Angley Admitted Sexual Encounter with Another Man. Because of course he’s a self-loathing closet case—like all the others!

This Week in Science:

We may finally know what causes Alzheimer’s – and how to stop it.

See a rock smack the moon during the super blood wolf eclipse.

Did Supernovas Kill Off the Monster Shark Megalodon?

Warmest ever start for January in Seattle.

Is Sunscreen the New Margarine?- Current guidelines for sun exposure are unhealthy and unscientific, controversial new research suggests—and quite possibly even racist. How did we get it so wrong?

This Week in Government Shutdown News:

Dueling plans to reopen government both fail in Senate – Six Republicans Voted For Plan Offered By Democrats.

Aviation Unions Issue Dire Shutdown Warning: There’s No Telling When The Entire System Might Break Down.

Trump White House grows eager to escape losing shutdown fight – After a day of failed Senate action, Trump and his advisers realize they may never win over Democrats in a battle that is costing them dearly.

The Shutdown Is Not a Result of Partisan Bickering .

‘This is your fault’: Republican senators screamed at Mitch McConnell and Mike Pence about shutdown in closed-door meeting.

Things I wrote:

Weekend update 1/19/2019: is there a new Deep Throat?

What are you doing for others?

Carmeggeddon! Viadoom! (Or maybe not).

Videos!

Stephen Colbert – The State Of The State Of The Union:

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Seth Meyers – Cohen and Giuliani Cause Problems for Trump: A Closer Look:

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Stephen Colbert – Donald Trump Is On A Losing Streaking:

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SHAZAM! – In Theaters April 5:

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Spider-Man: Far From Home | Teaser Trailer:

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