It’s Friday and I should be happy about that but drone strikes and missiles are kind of putting a damper on everything.

We’re getting really cold temps here, but fortunately not coinciding with a lot of moisture, so we aren’t quite ready for a snowmeggeddon, but there’s more cold air masses and storm systems on their way, so that may change.

Meanwhile, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories about science fiction, five stories about science, five stories about deplorable people, five stories about the impeached one, and five videos (plus things I wrote).

Stories of the Week:

This Activist’s Insightful Tweet About Queer Identity is Taking Social Media by Storm.

After Stranger Lawsuit, State Provides Previously Sealed Records.

LGBTQ heroes don’t need to be perfect (or even perfectly respectable).

Arizona city under siege by graffiti artist who keeps writing “Penis Man” on everything.

The US spent trillions trying to remake the Middle East. Trump’s strike may have undone it all.

This Week in Science Fiction:

12 Excellent SFF Books You Might Have Missed in 2019.

Iconic prop house closes after 42 years in business.

And the Hugo Goes to … Introduction – John Varley.

Hugo Book Club Blog: The Movement of Goods In Science Fiction.

Asimov’s Empire, Asimov’s Wall – He was both the most famous science fiction writer in the world and perhaps the most prolific author in American history, but over the course of many decades, he groped or engaged in other forms of unwanted touching with countless women.

This Week in Science:

Binary star system set to go nova by 2100.

The female scientist who changed human fertility forever.

Gender Variance Around the World Over Time.

Scientists Figured Out the Indian Cobra’s Genome—at Last – With the genetic recipe for the snake’s lethal venom in hand, researchers will have an easier time producing an antidote.

San Francisco Bay could triple otter population, study says.

This Week in the Impeached One:

Pompeo: Trump doesn’t want to bomb Iran’s cultural sites. Trump: Yes I do. – Mike Pompeo’s Sunday TV appearances illustrated the Trump administration’s complete lack of credibility.

Trump Doesn’t Want Voters to Know How Much His Family’s Trips Cost Taxpayers.

WHAT ARE THEY HIDING? Trump Had a Secret Oval Office Meeting With the Saudi Vice Minister of Defense – and Didn’t Reveal It Until Forced To.

Trump administration proposes rule to punish disabled people.

Shifting explanations raises questions about trump admin Intel on Iran.

This Week in Deplorables:

Why Joe Lieberman Is Suddenly All Over Your Teevee. “Lieberman (and virtually every other Very Serious Person who’s cheerleading the Iran strike on your teevee) makes his paycheck shilling for the defense industry.”

Wife Of Child Predator Sues Mormon Church for Reporting His Crimes to Police.

ICE Detention Center Captain Was on a Neo-Nazi Website and Wanted to Start a White Nationalist Group .

Doug Collins Attacks Democrats So Stupidly They Raise Money Off Of Him.

Texas School District Threatens Parents for Supporting LGBTQ Students.

Things I wrote:

The third workday after Christmas vacation, or Three Kings Day and returning to mundania.

Videos!

Trump Lies About Iran Crisis, Blames Obama: A Closer Look:

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White House Officials “Shushed” Lawmakers Who Asked Questions During Iran Briefing:

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A Year’s worth of red-light runner car accidents at the same intersection (2019):

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Sex Education: Season 2 | Official Trailer | Netflix:

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BIRDS OF PREY – Official Trailer 2:

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