This Saturday is our virtual Christmas party, where I need to read said ghost story. There are more than a few errands I need to get to this weekend, as well. And I need to try not to sleep most of the day away, if I can manage it.

But let’s get to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories about crooks & liars, five stories about the petty crime boss occupying the whitehouse, and five videas (plus notable obituaries).

Stories of the Week:

NYC Doubles Last Winter’s Snow Total In One Day.

U.S. COVID Death Toll Surpasses World War II Combat Fatalities; Daily Death Toll Will Surpass 9/11 and Pearl Harbor for Next 90 Days.

Atlantic City Is Offering Bidders The Chance To Blow Up A Former Trump Casino.

US Presidential Electors Confirm Joe Biden’s Victory.

A Michigan judge rules companies don’t have to serve gay customers. The attorney general says she’ll appeal.

This Week in Crooks, Liars and Other Deplorable People:

Driver yells anti-Semitic slurs, assaults man during Hanukkah celebration in Kentucky – “That this attack occurred on the third night of Hanukkah, during menorah-lighting celebrations, makes it all the more hateful,” Kentucky’s governor said.

Laconia state rep urged to resign after sharing anti-Semitic p.

Fake GOP Leaders Are Selling CBD Oil On Parler – Roughly 50 fake accounts exploited the conservative social network to shill Trump coins, Trump hats, and CBD oil.

‘Proud Boys’ burn Black Lives Matter signs at churches in Washington.

Federal law enforcement document reveals white supremacists discussed using coronavirus as a bioweapon.

This Week in the Deplorable Thug Occupying the White House:

Trump fights for a job that he’s not doing as coronavirus rages.

Trump Advisor: Trump Is ‘Throwing A F**king Temper Tantrum’ Over Leaving.

Manhattan DA Steps Up Probe Of Trump Organization.

What the GOP Really Means by ‘Voter Fraud’ – If You Didn’t Vote for Trump, Your Vote Is Fraudulent.

Pro-Trump Republicans Held Fake Electoral College Votes While The Real Electoral College Confirmed Biden’s Win – Why Trump’s latest Electoral College ploy is doomed to fail.

In Memoriam:

Tribute to Jeremy Bulloch, The Original Boba Fett.

Ann Reinking, Tony Winner and Star of Broadway’s ‘Chicago,’ Dies at 71.

Charley Pride, Pioneering Black Country Singer, Dead at 86 – Country Music Hall of Fame member died in Texas from complications related to Covid-19.

Videos!

Presidential Concessions – If You Don’t Know, Now You Know | The Daily Social Distancing Show:

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

Hey! Republicans Who Refuse to Accept the Election Results:

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

Mitch McConnell Inspires Spicy Talk From Team Biden And A Pathetic Tweet From The President:

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

Rock the Runoff: Broadway for Georgia performs “Georgia On My Mind”:

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RUDOLPH THE LEAKY LAWYER – A Randy Rainbow Song Parody:

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

We have reached the second Friday in December. Which means I ought to be further along and/or happier with t draft scenes I have for my annual Christmas Ghost Story but, alas, it does not.

Work continues to be insanely busy. A conversation I had with one of my medical specialists left me suspecting that my February sickness was more serious than it seemed, but also that it wasn’t useful on either a personal nor a species/scientific community basis at this point to test me for antibodies. Speaking with my specialist left me no less convinced that I need to take the vaccine as soon as it is available to me, but also less than optimistic about a rather large portion of the population. Let’s just say that even though I was already really f–ing angry at Fox News for turning my mother and at least two of my Aunts into sociopaths, I’m not feeling any more optimistic about the future of the general population.

But let’s get to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: three stories that have nothing to do with any of the anxiety-inducing things happening in the world, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and allies, five stories about crooks & liars, five stories about the pandemic, five stories about the petty crime boss occupying the whitehouse, and five videas (plus notable obituaries and some things I wrote).

This Week In News We Need Right Now!:

The Voice: Gwen Stefani BREAKS DOWN in Tears Over Carter Rubin’s Rainbow Connection Performance>. Scroll down to the video section to watch and hear the incredible performance.

Dog Was Lost in the Woods for 10 Days With a Winter Storm on the Way – But a Drone Saved the Day>.

‘Best buddies’: Grieving pit bull finds joy again with companion, a tabby kitten rescued by a firefighter>.

Stories of the Week:

Pepperidge Farm parent company warns cookies in short supply this holiday season>.

Those Viral Hospital iPads Are a ‘Lifeline’ for Covid Patients>.

Asteroid capsule located in Australian desert>.

A Mild Case Of COVID May Cause Erectile Dysfunction – Will risk of long-term erection issues be enough to get Trump-supporting men to FINALLY wear masks>?

Conspiracy Theorists Complain 5G ‘Blockers’ Slow Their WiFi>. Who would have thought that a device which claims to block 90% of radio signals would impede the WiFi signal [/sarcams]?

This Week in News for Queers and Allies:

Lithuanian Anti-LGBTQ Lawmaker Caught with ‘Naked’ Man During Online Parliamentary Session>.

Pelosi holds firm to support for transgender kids under hostile questioning>.

‘Your kind is not welcome’: Homophobic confrontation sparks debate in Wyoming – A bigoted incident in the rural northwest part of the state has prompted others in the community to stand up and say, “Enough.”>.

Trump’s new religious exemptions for employers an invitation to discriminate, critics say>.

Frustration builds as Biden’s Cabinet includes no LGBTQ picks>.

This Week in Crooks, Liars and Other Deplorable People:

Man who claimed to have bomb at headquarters of Spokane Democrats in police custody>.

FTC and states sue Facebook for illegally stifling competition>.

He Pretended to Be Trump’s Family. Then Trump Fell for It>.

US Marshalls apprehend fugitive gay basher in Texas>.

Giuliani Witness Melissa Carone Sent Harassing Sex Tapes To Fiancé’s Ex-Wife >.

This Week in the Pandemic:

Vaccine Advisory Committee Endorses Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine, Paves Way For FDA Authorization>.

Trump Holds Packed Hanukkah Party at White House Amid COVID-19 Pandemic That Has Killed 289,000 in U.S.>.

Giuliani witness whose false and seemingly drunk testimony went viral Mellissa Carone says she’s not self-quarantining after Giuliani’s COVID-19 diagnosis>. Bonus:

This Is Only Going to Get Worse – The United States is entering a long, dark period, and the pandemic is already breaking records from the spring>.

The Billionaires Who Profited from the Pandemic Should Help Pay for Our Recovery – A new plan from the United Kingdom suggests that a onetime pandemic levy on a country’s wealthiest citizens could be the most practical and …>.

This Week in the Deplorable Thug Occupying the White House:

Jake Tapper Delivers Blistering Commentary on the State of the Republican Party: ‘If You Cross the President, You Actually Fear for Your Life’>.

Trying To Force States And The Supreme Court To Overturn The Election… – Trying To Force States And The Supreme Court To Overturn The Election…ON TWITTER>.

Melania Trump ‘just wants to go home’ as president continues to dispute election result – A rumoured run by Donald Trump for president in 2024 would reportedly ‘not go over well’>.

Trump asks Supreme Court to invalidate millions of votes in battleground states >.

Trump campaign strategist Jason Miller tells judge he’ll be unemployed after Dec. 15 – Despite public reporting, Trump campaign is still keeping Jason Miller’s $420,000 salary a secret — but why>?

In Memoriam:

David Lander, Squiggy in ‘Laverne & Shirley,’ Dies at 73>.

Laverne & Shirley’s David Lander Remembered by Michael McKean: ‘This Is a Loss Shared by All of Us’>.

Former Sen. Paul Sarbanes of Maryland dies>.

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 12/5/2020: Clearing out the tabs…>.

The magic slab of glass that contains all my friends… or not>.

Videos!

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – Supreme Court Refuses To Invalidate Pennsylvania’s Mail-In Votes In Major Rebuke Of The President:

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

New Orleans Orgy Organizers Regret Lax Enforcement Of Social Distancing Rules:

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

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 4 | Official Trailer | Netflix:

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

Pandemic-era gay loneliness summed up in one video – How Do You Feel?:

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

15-year-old Carter Rubin Sings “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppet Movie – The Voice Live Top 9 Performances:

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

We have reached the first Friday in December. Which seems both weird and miraculous, time having become a fog for so many of us. I suspect that I am not the only one who frequently checks the calendar to count how many days we have to endure before January 20th arrives.

It has been cold and dry this week. Because there has been nearly zero cloud cover all week, the temperature drops every day drastically come night fall. Which, this time of year, happens before 4:30. I don’t know if it’s related to the weather, but all week long two of the four squirrels that regularly come to the squirrel feeder on my deck and dig around in my flower pots, have be really angry at each other. The keep getting into fights, anyway.

But let’s get to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: two stories that have nothing to do with any of the anxiety-inducing things happening in the world, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and allies, five stories about space science, five stories about the pandemic, five stories about crooks & liars, and five videas (plus notable obituaries and some things I wrote).

This Week In News We Need Right Now!:

Cher singing to “The World’s Loneliest Elephant” is all the sweetness you need today.

A Little Bit Of Christmas.

Stories of the Week:

A Day In The Life Of Dr. Anthony Fauci – What does one of the top infectious disease experts do when he’s sidelined by the White House during COVID-19? Plenty.

Hello! You’ve Been Referred Here Because You’re Wrong About Section 230 Of The Communications Decency Act.

‘Time For My Flag to Go Up’: How Anti-Trumpers Are Reclaiming the American Flag – Over the past four years, the flag has been re-cast as a kind of MAGA shorthand. Now, Trump foes are ready to take the symbol back.

Fewer than half of Americans know that alcohol is a carcinogen. Big Booze wants to keep it that way.

Mysterious Monolith Update: Racists Destroy California Monolith, Proclaim Christ Superior to Space Aliens.

This Week in News for Queers and Allies:

Federal judge rules requiring “proof” of gender identity for a passport is unconstitutional – The judge granted a transgender man a passport, saying the government violated his Fifth Amendment rights.

LGBTQ Organizations Urge Media to Stop ‘Deadnaming’ Transgender Stars After Elliot Page Comes Out.

Corporate America loves LGBTQ people & anti-LGBTQ politicians – The US Chamber of Commerce says it supports LGBTQ equality but it is spending $2 million to support two anti-LGBTQ Republican Senators in their runoff election – and that race will decide the fate of LGBTQ rights.

A New Day for Queer People in the South – North Carolina’s ban on local protections for LGBTQ people expires today. But more fights lie ahead.

Hate crimes on the rise in King County, prosecutors say – The King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office says 51 hate crime cases have been reported so far this year.

This Week in the Space Science:

China’s Chang’e-5 Moon mission probe touches down.

A very ancient globular cluster orbits the Andromeda Galaxy.

Huge Puerto Rico radio telescope, already damaged, collapses.

Asteroid 2020 SO images reveal mystery object is likely a piece of NASA rocket.

Betelgeuse went dark, but didn’t go supernova. What happened? – The bright star’s great dimming may have been a big dust burp.

This Week in Crooks, Liars and Other Deplorable People:

Former U.S. Attorney Asks Georgia to Investigate Lindsey Graham for Potential Election Crimes.

Here Are the Threats Terrorizing Election Workers – Incendiary rhetoric by President Trump and his followers is fueling a wave of threats against election workers. Some have received death threats and images of nooses and been told “You’re a traitor.”.

Judge denies motions to dismiss 2 of 6 counts against Kyle Rittenhouse – Kyle Rittenhouse bound over for trial on six counts.

Trump-appointed former Miller aide banned from Department of Justice after trying to obtaing case info – Banned From DOJ Offices For Snooping.

The Coup That Hasn’t Happened Yet – Oh, you thought there would be a coup just because the president repeatedly said there would be?

This Week in the Pandemic:

WA nurse has lingering effects from COVID months later, returning to work.

102-year-old woman beats COVID-19 twice.

Vaccines Are Coming, but Pandemic Experts Expect a ‘Horrible’ Winter – With vaccines and a new administration, the pandemic will be tamed. But experts say the coming months “are going to be just horrible.”

Coronavirus Was Already Spreading in America by Last Christmas, Study Finds.

Hawaii police arrest couple who boarded flight despite testing positive for coronavirus.

In Memoriam:

Legendary Science Fiction Author Ben Bova Has Passed at the Age of 88.

David Prowse, “Star Wars” and “A Clockwork Orange” Actor, Dead at 85 – He’s best known for his work bringing Darth Vader to the screen.

David Prowse, Actor Behind Darth Vader, Dies At 85.

Gay wrestling star Pat Patterson dead at 79.

Pat Patterson, WWE Legend and First Openly Gay Wrestling Superstar, Dies at 79 – Hall of Famer was WWF’s first Intercontinental Champion and later created the Royal Rumble Match.

Things I wrote:

To absent friends… 2020.

Words and numbers and other things that matter.

Videos!

Sykes Calls This Time ‘The Most Dangerous 60 Days Of The Trump Presidency’ | Deadline | MSNBC:

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New Orleans Orgy Organizers Regret Lax Enforcement Of Social Distancing Rules:

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John Mulaney on Secret Service Investigation, SNL Joke Backlash & Writing for Seth Meyers:

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President Obama’s Mother-In-Law Helped Keep The First Family Down To Earth:

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Bells, Bows, Gifts, Trees:

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We have reached the final Friday in November. This didn’t post in the early morning as usual because I cooked Thanksgiving dinner, and when my husband and I both ate too much, and I took two naps, and I tried to get some serious word count completed for my NaNoWriMo. And then I slept in really late today to make up for getting up early to start cooking.

There are so, so many news stories I bookmarked in a week that in normal years is a slow news week. And I’m just so tired of being outraged that I’m not sharing most of them today. The grifter-in-chief is doing the equivalent of breaking all the windows of the house and setting fire to the house he’s being evicted from and it’s just so painful to contemplate what a sore loser can do. If you’re as tired as I am of this, scroll past all the stories and watch the video entitled “The Kind of Story We Need Right Now: Alligator Puppy Rescue.”

So let’s get to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories about crooks, and liars, and other deplorables, five topical videos, and five fun videas (plus notable obituaries and some things I wrote).

Stories of the Week:

Are Your Choices Making the Pandemic Worse? – How does an epidemiologist think through the little decisions each of us make during the coronavirus pandemic? Boston University’s Ellie Murray explains.

Daring Fireball: Facebook Still Ruled by Sociopaths, News at 11.

There has been one successful coup in the United States. It foreshadowed the rise of Donald Trump.

Did American Democracy Really Hold? Maybe Not – Donald Trump didn’t manage to overthrow the electoral system. But he’s drawn a clear road map for breaking it.

It Wasn’t Ideology That Sank House Democrats. It Was Bad Strategy – Poor decisions from the national party left Democratic candidates in swing districts unable to hold their own.

This Week in Crooks, Liars and Other Deplorable People:

Splitting 5 to 4, Supreme Court Backs Religious Challenge to Cuomo’s Virus Shutdown Order – In earlier rulings related to coronavirus restrictions in California and Nevada, the court had taken the opposite approach. But its membership has changed since then. Five deplorable justices on the SCOTUS now…

Jacob Wohl’s Lawyers Want Judge to Sanction Civil Rights Group.

Trump Rushing Rule To Bring Back Firing Squads Among Other Things – Trump Races to Weaken Environmental and Worker Protections, and Implement Other Last-Minute Policies, Before Jan. 20.

“Lock the motherfucker up” – This is an actual headline from Detroit Metro Times. The headline isn’t the problem. The real problem is that for more than four years the vast majority of new sites haven’t been willing to be this blunt.

Trump fears Giuliani, other lawyers in Biden vote challenge are ‘fools that are making him look bad’. He’s finally noticing???

In Memoriam:

Bruce Boynton, civil rights pioneer who inspired 1961 Freedom Rides, dies at 83 – “He did something that very few people would have the courage to do. He said no,” Judge Myron Thompson said.

Honestie Hodges, Whose Handcuffing Changed Police Policy, Is Dead at 14 – Honestie’s handcuffing by the police in Grand Rapids, Mich., caused a national uproar and led to a new law enforcement policy on dealing with youths. Honestie died of Covid-19.

David Dinkins, New York’s first Black mayor, dies at 93 – He led the nation’s largest city during a difficult period.

Things I wrote:

Monday Update 11/23/2020: Taking their marbles and going home.

Democracy is under threat from the White House? Must be Tuesday….

This Thanksgiving, don’t participate in the possible murder of grandma.

So we’re supposed to give thanks, right?

Topical Videos!

‘Losing’: Why Trump Lost Every 2020 Election Plot – The Lessons For The U.S.:

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How QAnon Is Taking Over The GOP | The Daily Social Distancing Show:

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Trump Rambles on Speakerphone During Fake GOP Voter Fraud Hearing: A Closer Look:

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The Kind of Story We Need Right Now: Alligator Puppy Rescue:

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Stephen Colbert’s Monologue Does As The Monolith Wishes:

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Trailers and Music Videos!

Dashing in December Official Trailer | Premieres 12/13 on Paramount Network:

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The Christmas Setup Trailer:

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Orville Peck – Fancy (Live at the Rodeo) : What a great gothic cover of my second favorite Bobby Gentry song!

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Gay dance duo show what it’s like to come out to your dad in “incredible” performance::

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Sohla’s Best Thanksgiving Leftover Upgrades | NYT Cooking:

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

It’s been a really tough four years, and this week has not been the spectacular knock out many were hoping for, but we’re nearly at the end of the beginning, I’m quite sure. Because everyone is suffering from outrage fatigue and anxiety exhaustion and existential debility, I think we need a break. So I have organized this week’s Friday Five to minimize the angst. Yes, politics is mentioned, but more headlines about the good things that you probably missed because all of the oxygen has been sucked up by the liar in chief.

So let’s get to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five stories that have nothing to do with either presidential campaign of the week, five stories related to the election but again only cool things, five stories of mostly uplifting interest to queer people and our allies, five stories about science and science fiction, five stories about the tops of the tickets, and five videos (plus notable obituaries and some things I wrote).

Stories of the Week:

It’s (After) Nov. 4 and COVID-19 isn’t just still with us, it’s actually worse than ever.

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of DeRay Mckesson in Cop Lawsuit.

Activist Destroys Kansas City Police Commissioners One By One At Community Meeting.

‘This is revolutionary’: new online bookshop unites indies to rival Amazon .

Stirring up a hornet nest – safely. Two more murder hornet queens captured in my state…

This Week in Non-outrageous Election News:

Oregon becomes first state to decriminalize hard drugs.

With Election Day sweep across four states, recreational pot sales will soon reach one-third of Americans.

Florida votes to raise state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

14 Victorious LGBTQ Candidates Who Made History in the 2020 Election.

America agrees: Nate Silver is the absolute worst & Steve Kornacki is the best.

This Week in Science Fact and Science Fiction:

The Milky Way makes little galaxies bloom, then snuffs them out.

Great Scott! This Custom BACK TO THE FUTURE Bass Guitar Rocks.

Not aliens: Mysterious burst of radio waves traced to a magnetar.

In A Pandemic World, We’re All Engaging In Speculative Fiction.

NASA’s new rocket would be the most powerful ever. But it’s the software that has some officials worried.

This Week in News for Queers and Allies:

Meet the 2020 ‘Rainbow Wave’ of LGBTQ+ Election Victories.

Nevada voters turn same-sex marriage ban into legal protections for gay couples – Nevada voters approved the only LGBTQ rights ballot initiative in the country this year.

Awesome dad asks the internet for advice after seeing his teenage son kissing another guy in public.

The sheriff fired her because she’s a lesbian so she ran against him. She’ll be the new sheriff now.

Editorial: Wake-up call on LGBTQ rights.

This Week in the Fight For Democracy:

Biden breaks Obama record for most votes.

Why the Post Office’s Last-Minute Ballot Crisis Isn’t as Dire as It Seems.

Surprise, surprise: Gay Republicans really are self-loathing, study finds.

Jake Tapper Decries Trump’s Unhinged Speech As ‘Feast Of Falsehoods’ And ‘Pathetic’.

Stay Tuned: It’ll Take A Little Longer To Find Out Who Won The 2020 Election.

In Memoriam:

Sean Connery, Who Embodied James Bond and More, Dies at 90 – To legions of fans who have watched a parade of actors play Agent 007, none played the part as magnetically or as indelibly as Mr. Connery.

Sean Connery and His Son Jason Smile Together in One of Late Actor’s Last Family Photos.

This is Sean Connery’s best James Bond movie.

How Sean Connery Turned a Regular Rolex Into “The Bond” – In Connery’s hands, the standard Submariner became an icon.

Alan Cumming reveals adorable dad/son vibes he shared with the late Sean Connery.

John Sessions, British Actor-Comedian Who Appeared On ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ And ‘Doctor Who’, Dies At Age 67.

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 10/31/2020: Scarier than any Halloween costume.

I hope you’re having a spooktacular Halloween!

Sunday Update 11/1/2020 – Words and Images.

The Election Doesn’t End Until Every Vote Is Counted!

Cumulative realities, or the night before the world changes….

Get out there and vote!

When the real world becomes too stressful, write a better world.

Topical Videos!

Biden Urges Patience And Trump Claims Victory As Battleground States Count Their Ballots:

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

Trump Cries Fraud and Calls Dibs on the Presidency | The Daily Social Distancing Show:

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

Trump Is Losing the Election, So He’s Trying to Destroy Democracy: A Closer Look:

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

LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special | Official Trailer | Disney+:

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

Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious Graphic Novel Trailer:

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

And here we are at the fourth Friday of October.

Not quite Halloween, just yet. I’m trying to remain calm after my husband found out that his supervisor at his workplace has tested positive for COVID-19. And I just don’t have anything to say beyond that about anything right now.

So, let’s jump to this week’s Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about the moronic thug occupying the Oval Office, and five videos (plus some things I wrote and notable obituaries).

Stories of the Week:

Billy Porter Says To ‘Get Your Little Asses to The Polls!’.

‘Hocus Pocus’ Cast Reuniting for Halloween Special Hosted by Elvira; See the Trio Back in Their Costumes!

This House’s Halloween Decorations That Have People Calling 911.

First NASA Osiris-Rex images show incredible touchdown on asteroid Bennu.

Five more states voting this fall on legalizing marijuana – Dire budget conditions of many states increasingly aid arguments in favor of legalization.

This Week in News for Queers and Allies:

Dear SCOTUS: LGBTQ+ People Are Religious and Also Deserve Liberty.

Political candidates face uptick in anti-LGBTQ attack ads – The “homophobic and transphobic attacks” are “more frequent and more direct than we have seen in at least a decade,” LGBTQ Victory Fund CEO Annise Parker said.

One Million Moms Threatens Oreo Boycott Over LGBTQ+ Ad.

Joe Biden makes a pledge to trans people: “I believe that Trans Lives Matter” – The death of Sara Blackwood, in part, spurred former Vice President Joe Biden to speak on the “unacceptable” epidemic of violence facing transgender & gender non-conforming people.

United States to team with countries who persecute LGBTQ people for ‘pro-family’ manifesto, including ‘Kill the Gays’ bill sponsor Uganda.

This Week in the Moronavirus Occupying the White House:

Reality Check: Trump’s Accusations Are Always Projections About Himself.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused nearly 300,000 more deaths than expected in a typical year.

Can We Hope This Era Of Paranoia Is Burning Itself Out?

Trump’s 60 Minutes Interview Reveals Him To Be A Whiny Brat. My favorite sum-up of the full, unedited video that Donald released thinking it made him look good: “He keeps spouting nonsense, and she calmly explains that it’s nonsense and he just keeps getting more whiny.”

‘This guy is a dog whistle’: Biden lights Trump up after he claims to be ‘least racist’ person at debate.

In Memoriam:

Famed Magician and Skeptic James Randi Dies at 92: ‘A Crusader Against Fakes, Flimflam and Frauds’.

‘Amazing’ Escape Artist, Magician, And Skeptic James Randi Dead At 92.

Things I wrote:

Tuesday Tidbits 10/18/2020: Tornadoes, voting, scrub jays, and more.

Words and Images: Is it really only Wednesday? Because it feels so, so much later.

You’re So Cool, Brewster! — more of why I love spooky sf/f.

Videos!

OREO Proud Parent:

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Cruelty Was The Plan: Chilling News About The Human Toll Of Trump’s Child Separation Policy:

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

Trump Leaks Embarrassing 60 Minutes Interview Before Second Debate: A Closer Look:

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

Ariana Grande – positions (official video):

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Lauv & Conan Gray – Fake [Official Music Video]:

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

And here we are at the third Friday of October.

This has been a weird week. Work hasn’t been more stressful than usual, but I’ve had more than a few symptoms and indications that I may have something more serious the autumn hay fever going on. I’ve gotten some writing done this week, and started reading the next book in my virtual pile, but haven’t gotten as far as I had hoped on either.

So, let’s jump to this week’s Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about the moronic thug occupying the Oval Office, and five videos (plus some things I wrote).

Stories of the Week:

Patriotic Voter Preps for Long Poll Lines with Chair and Snacks – 2020 ELECTION I’M READY TO VOTE NO MATTER WHAT … ‘Ain’t S*** Gon’ Stop Me!!!’.

Restaurant bans entry to people with symptoms of “COVID-19, racism, homophobia & transphobia” – “This is something we stand for and we figured our customers would agree with it, and as the sign says if not we are not particularly keen to have them in here.”.

We Watched A Star Get ‘Spaghettified’ By A Monster Black Hole, Say Scientists.

Why Are Nearly All of the Penises Appearing in TV and Film Prosthetic?

This Utah Man Recorded A Terrifying Encounter With An Angry Mama Cougar – Kyle Burgess was followed by the cougar for more than six very scary minutes.

This Week in News for Queers and Allies:

Amy Coney Barrett Won’t Say if SCOTUS Marriage Equality Case Was Correctly Decided.

574 LGBTQ Candidates on General Election Ballots This Year, Up 33 Percent: Victory Fund Report.

This small town’s battle over gay Pride flags is helping fuel a national debate – Heber City, Utah, is one of a growing number of municipalities across the U.S. that has seen controversy ignited by the public display of LGBTQ pride flags.

Lifelong Republican, 94, pledges to vote Biden to protect the LGBT+ community after gay grandson’s emotional appeal.

Nico Tortorella Wants You to Know Your Queer History.

This Week in the Moronavirus Occupying the White House:

GOP Sen. Sasse In Audio: Trump Sold Out Allies, Flirted With White Supremacists, And Cozied Up To Dictators.

NBC Staffers Seethe as Trump Gleefully Uses the Network Against Biden.

How can 42 percent of Americans still support the worst president in our history?

Twitter Zaps Bot Army Of Fake Black Trump Supporters.

The Time Nixon’s Cronies Tried to Overturn a Presidential Election.

Things I wrote:

Come out of hiding and stand proudly in the light!

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day.

Tuesday Tidbits 10/13/2020: Endangering health and democracy.

Spoons, coping mechanisms, and coffee.

If I want your opinion, I’ll beat it out of you — more of why I love spooky sf/f.

Videos!

The What/Why/How of the Columbus Day Debate | The Daily Social Distancing Show:

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

A Message from Your Friendly Local Mail Carrier:

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

Pelosi Rages At CNN’s Wolf Blitzer After He Suggests Accepting GOP’s $1.8 Trillion Stimulus Package:

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

[OFFICIAL VIDEO] Happy Now – Pentatonix:

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“Don’t Cancel Halloween” (2020) – Elvira Music Video:

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