Friday Five (save the planet edition)

This is not a movie. Photographer Jasper Reyes took the picture of part of the demolition of the Alaska Way Viaduct here in Seattle. (Click to embiggen)

But first, I have to get through another impossible deadline at work. One the plus side, while I was compiling this I was also watching the Seahawks win the final game of the pre-season. Which was fun. Even if the gane doesn’t count.

So, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five science stories, five stories about a hopeful future, five stories about why we should impeach someone already, and five videos (plus things I wrote and notable obituaries).

Stories of the Week:

In The Matter Of Diamond And Silk’s Very Real Lawyer v. Wonkette: Bring It, Sh*thead. For the record: Diamond and Silk are black, but they also promote and defend white supremacists, so yes, they most definitely are black white supremacists. And should be deeply ashamed.

Undercover in Patriot Prayer: Insights From a Vancouver Democrat Who’s Been Working Against the Far-Right Group from the Inside.

Hurricane Dorian grazes Puerto Rico.

New Jersey woman won’t stop abandoning kittens at Whole Foods, shelter begs her to stop.

Now You Can Help Save the Environment by Watching a Bunch of Porn.

This Week in News for Queers and Allies:

Superior, Wis., passes gay ‘conversion therapy’ ban – The city joins seven others in Wisconsin banning the practice.

‘We Don’t Promote That Here’: Kentucky School Administrators Force Students to Remove LGBTQ-Pride Tee Shirts – Student Says Principal Outed Several LGBTQ Students to Their Parents.

Former NFL Player: There Are Gay, Bisexual Players On Every Pro Football Team – Ryan O’Callaghan, who played for the New England Patriots and came out in 2017, said he regularly hears from closeted current athletes and as if on cue: Former NFL Player Comes Out As Bisexual.

Out candidate Pete Buttigieg would beat Donald Trump in presidential election – A new poll from Quinnipiac shows Mayor Pete winning the general election by 9 points.

Kentucky principal who tried to ban books over ‘homosexual content’ busted for child porn .

This Week in Science:

New landmark study finds that genetics influences sexual orientation – It turns out there isn’t just one gay gene. There are several.

Stone tools may place some of the first Americans in Idaho 16,500 years ago – Artifacts add to evidence that North America’s early settlers predated an inland, ice-free path.

Storms on Jupiter are disturbing the planet’s colorful belts: Radio, IR and optical observations show evolution of plumes and their impact on belts and zones.

NASA is sending a helicopter to Mars. It’ll be the first aircraft to fly on another planet.

These Experimental Shorts Are An ‘Exosuit’ That Boosts Endurance On The Trail.

This Week in the Next Blue Wave:

How Georgia could help Democrats win the Senate — but only if they play it perfectly.

Democrats’ Emerging Tax Idea: Look Beyond Income, Target Wealth – Lawmakers and 2020 candidates offer a range of options focused on capturing some of the trillions of dollars in assets belonging to the nation’s richest.

A goal for Democrats: Make the White House boring again.

Republicans grow anxious about the Trump economy – Trump’s trade war with China could undermine GOP chances of holding the White House and Senate in 2020.

Is The NRA Financially Bleeding Out?

This Week in Impeach the Mo-Fo Already:

Legal Experts: Trump’s Promise of Pardons to Aides for Breaking the Law to Build His Wall Is Impeachable.

Thank You for Your Service. Sorry, Your Kids Aren’t US Citizens: Trump Changes Rules on Military Families Overseas.

Trump sees all U.S. Jews as Israelis because his Christian Zionist allies do, too.

Trump Loots Millions From FEMA to Send Migrants Back to Mexico – Just as Hurricane Season Starts.

Former Defense Secretary James Mattis Rips Trump’s Policies In New Book: Storm Clouds Are Gathering, America’s At The Breaking Point.

In Memoriam:

Attorney Who Challenged Arkansas Gay Marriage Ban Dies.

Gaming Legend Rick Loomis.

Things I wrote:

Oppressed oppressors: A Dozen Peaceful Racists Show Up for “Straight Pride”.

Frogs and scorpions, or, he was never a journalist.

Late Tuesday Tidbit: The evangelical leader and the other pool boy.

Astounding Stories of Super-Science, or name changes are nothing new in sf/f.

Hard Times reap hard lessons, or when did cyberpunk really begin?

Videos!

CHEETO CHRIST STUPID-CZAR – Randy Rainbow Song Parody:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

Greyson Chance – white roses:

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Kygo & Whitney Houston – Higher Love (Official Video):

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

Tegan and Sara – I’ll Be Back Someday [Official Music Video]:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

David Archuleta – Paralyzed (Official Video):

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)