It is the final Friday before Christmas. 2019 is rushing to an end!

I am officially on vacation until 2020. As usual, of course, I have a lot of stuff to do on these days off. I have to finish the shopping before the party. I have a lot of presents to wrap. We both have some cooking to do. Oh, and I have about 800 word that I don’t hate in this year’s Christmas Ghost Story…

Meanwhile, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: a story for the season, then the top five stories of the week, five stories of intesters to queers and allies, five stories about science, five stories about deplorable people, five stories about the impeached guy, and five videos (plus notable obituaries and a some things I wrote).

This Week in the Salvation Army is a Hate Group and You Should Not Donate to Them:

The Salvation Army says it doesn’t discriminate against LGBTQ people. Critics say that’s not true.

Stories of the Week:

Dear Democrats: Four religion requests from non-religious Americans.

Siri saves college student after icy car crash into the Winnebago River.

Paw Patrol truck boy, 3, takes to road to rescue dad – A three-year-old boy whose father suffered a seizure took to a main road on his toy truck to raise the alarm.

Atheists Appeal Ruling Banning “Secular Celebrants” from Solemnizing Marriages .

Don’t wait on Hallmark. Here are a few LGBTQ holiday films you can already watch.

This Week in News for Queers and Allies:

Hallmark reverses position on same-sex couple ads after public outcry.

Miss Manners Responds to Christians Who Don’t Want Gays at Christmas.

Germany to ban ‘conversion therapy’ for minors.

Federal court demands the military turn over secret documents about the trans military ban.

No magical spell is going to protect JK Rowling from the ‘transphobic’ blowback this time.

This Week in Science:

Nasa releases never-before-seen image of mysterious object that arrived from another star system.

When a DNA Test Says You’re a Younger Man, Who Lives 5,000 Miles Away.

Visualizing Sex as a Spectrum .

World’s oldest fossil trees uncovered in New York.

A HIV vaccine could be available as soon as 2021, experts say.

It’s Impeach Navidad!:

For The First Time In His Life, Trump Is Held Accountable – Chris Hayes notes that impeachment marks the first time EVER that Trump is held publically accountable for his actions.

Impeachment and the crack up of the conservative mind.

Christianity Today Editor Condemns President Trump as ‘Morally Lost and Confused’: Christianity Today: Trump should be removed from office .

Widow, Republicans and Democrats blast Trump for crass Dingell ‘hell’ comment – The president spoke about the now-deceased lawmaker at a campaign rally in his home state of Michigan.

The Fox News impeachment poll isn’t an outlier (despite what Trump claims).

This Week in Deplorable People:

Colorado radio host fired for saying he wanted ‘nice school shooting’ to distract from Trump impeachment.

WA Rep. Matt Shea engaged in ‘domestic terrorism,’ helped plan Malheur standoff, investigation finds.

IOWA: Man Gets 16 Years In Rainbow Flag Arson.

Elder at Church That Condemns Homosexuality Arrested for Soliciting Sex from Male College Students on Grindr.

Whistleblower claims that LDS Church stockpiled $100 billion in charitable donations, dodged taxes.

In Memoriam:

The queer community lost two heroes you may not know. You should.

Gershon Kingsley, Electronic Music Pioneer, Dead at 97 – Composer and Moog adventurer wrote hit instrumental “Popcorn” and, with Jean-Jacques Perrey, “Baroque Hoedown”.

Things I wrote:

…paper packages tied up with string.

When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly face….

Videos!

Santa Claus on Batman:

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Stephen Colbert – Hallmark Channel In A Tailspin After Same-Sex Wedding Ad Controversy:

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Senate Republicans Say They Won’t Hold a Fair Impeachment Trial: A Closer Look:

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Kay Thompson Jingle Bells:

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David Letterman – Darlene Love’s ‘Christmas’ Mash-Up:

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