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We have arrived at the first Friday in September. September, that most blesséd of months, when superior people are born.

I’ve had a low grade fever and weird mostly-cold symptoms for most of this week. I seem to be getting better, so I’m hoping it’s just a minor virus.

Anyway, it’s time for this week’s Friday Five in which I bring you: one story that made me cry, plus the top five stories of the week, five stories about the weather, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, and five stories about deplorable people, and five stories about the graveyard of empires (plue a notable obituary).

This Week in Stories That Made Me Cry:

I’m a White Cisgendered Straight Woman. ‘Pose’ Gave Me My History "I’m the daughter of a mom who came out and lost custody of me in 1979, the sister of a man who died of AIDS in 1990… How is it possible to live through your own history and only comprehend it 35 years later when you recognize it in a TV show?"

Stories of the Week:

Virginia Supreme Court Admits It’s 2021 – Turns out current-day Confederates cannot force "the Commonwealth to express, in perpetuity, a message with which it now disagrees." The Robert E. Lee statue comes down.

Afghanistan: 3 Unlearned Lessons – Why does America keep making the same mistakes over and over?

The Obscene Hypocrisy of Republicans Blaming Everyone But Themselves: The COVID Edition – They spent so much time owning the libs, they forgot to care about the lives of their constituents

Prosecutors say Jan. 6 rioters committed roughly 1,000 assaults on federal officers

John Roberts has lost control of the Supreme Court

This Week in Weather:

Weather disasters are getting worse worldwide, report says. But the good news is they aren’t as deadly

Scenes From Hurricane Ida’s Devastation in Louisiana – Hurricane Ida toppled trees and power lines and flooded homes in Louisiana before making its way inland. Eric Alvarez reports from Houma and talks to residents who are doing their best to rebuild

Millions in Louisiana still without power after Ida

Hurricane Ida’s remnants pound Northeast, killing at least 43

Hurricane Larry forecast to be a Category 4 with top winds reaching 140 mph

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Missouri says it pulled LGBT exhibit for bypassing state board that seldom reviews exhibits

Challenge to Washington’s law banning conversion therapy rejected in court – State Attorney General Bob Ferguson said it’s a "win for LGBTQ+ civil rights."

Washington man convicted of hate crime in transgender teen’s murder

Carl Nassib is now the first out NFL player signed to a regular season roster – Carl Nassib will break ground later this month as the first gay person to play in a regular season NFL game

These Portraits of (Literal) Gay Daddies Will Brighten Your Day – Bart Heynen’s book ‘Dads’ sheds light on gay dads and their families

This Week in Haters, Deplorables, and Seditious Traitors:

Democrats To Probe Secretive ‘Shadow Docket’ Following Supreme Court Texas Abortion Ruling

New policy for school district after Venice chiropractor signs 500+ mask exemptions Sarasota students

McCarthy faces ethics complaint after saying GOP ‘will not forget’ if firms hand records to Jan. 6 panel

[QAnon Adherent Must Return to Jail Ahead of Jan. 6 Trial Because He Watched MyPillow CEO’s Symposium Online](QAnon Adherent Must Return to Jail Ahead of Jan. 6 Trial Because He Watched MyPillow CEO’s Symposium Online](https://lawandcrime.com/u-s-capitol-breach/qanon-adherent-must-return-to-jail-ahead-of-jan-6-trial-because-he-watched-mypillow-ceos-symposium-online/)

Republican Demands ‘Documentation’ On School Mask Mandates. OOPS – Republican Tony McCombie filed a FOIA request for "feedback" on Illinois’ school mask mandate. Governor JB Pritzker responded with 870 thank you notes from relieved parents

This Week in the Graveyard of Empires:

Biden Deserves Credit, Not Blame, for Afghanistan – Americans should feel proud of what the U.S. government and military have accomplished in these past two weeks

Anti-Taliban Forces: U.S. ‘Won’t Have an Ally’ in Afghanistan to Fight Terrorism if We Losev

The Taliban Won Afghanistan’s Civil War. But Will it Win the Peace?

Afghan Women Stage Protest Demanding Role in Government, Education as Taliban Watch

Afghanistan resistance fighters clash with Taliban in Panjshir valley

In Memoriam:

Hollywood mourns Ed Asner, star of ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and ‘Lou Grant’

Ed Asner’s most beloved roles were curmudgeons with soft hearts

Judge Formally Denies SAG-AFTRA Health Plan’s Motion To Dismiss Ed Asner Lawsuit

Hollywood mourns Ed Asner: ‘You made and will continue to make this world a better place’