From the Desk of the Script Doctor

Friday Five (florida man makes announcement edition)

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 06:43:13 GMT

Welcome to the third Friday of November!

Busy and stressful week at work. Trying to rewrite a novel and keep up my word count for NaNoWriMo the rest of the time. And then there was a pair of family emergencies.

Let's move on to this week's Friday Five, shall we? This week I bring you: one story/quiz that needed its own category, the top five stories of the week you, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about privileged idiots, and five stories about deplorable people (plus some notable obituaries).

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Friday Five (give me a break edition)

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 08:38:15 GMT

Welcome to the second Friday of November!

We may have averted an existential crisis. Since the news at least in the U.S. has been wall-to-wall election, I tried to find other things for the Stories of the Week. Let me know how I did.

Let's move on to this week's Friday Five, shall we? This week I bring you: one story that just needed its own category, the top five stories of the week you may not have seen because of all the election coverage, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about mistaken predictions, and five stories about deplorable people (plus some notable obituaries).

This Week in Stupid:

Some Republicans Want to Raise Voting Age After Gen Z Midterm Turnout - “This new generation is totally brainwashed,” a Fox News commentator complained

Stories of the Week:

At least 5 killed after Nicole makes historic, rare November landfall in Florida

“Andor” shows how exploitation leads to the Dark Side, from bureaucratic drudgery to prison labor - The latest episodes see our hero play out the real world reality of prison slave labor in service of the Empire

The connection between social media use and vaccine hesitancy - People who consume a lot of news on social media are more likely to be skeptical of COVID-19 vaccines

Russia’s withdrawal from Kherson is its most humiliating setback since the failed invasion of Kyiv. But there’s no sign Putin intends to end his misbegotten war

Illegal trade threatens endangered tigers, 150 seized a year - Poachers continue to target the big cat for its skin and body parts, undermining conservation efforts

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

LGBTQ candidates dominate the midterms in the approaching shadow of DeSantis

At 39, my life began again. ‘My Policeman’ brought memories rushing back

LGBTQ+ Groups Celebrate 'Rainbow Wave' of Queer Candidate Victories - At least 340 out LGBTQ+ candidates won their elections in the 2022 midterms

Is a stupid typo in the Bible the reason for the "Don't Say Gay" nonsense we're dealing with today?

America’s newest trans lawmaker shares beautiful post-election moment with mum of trans kid

This Week in the Don't Count Your Chickens Before the Eggs Hatch:

Gen Z takes control of its future - Three elections makes a trend: The youngest generation of voters is very engaged and highly progressive. Here's what that means

The biggest midterm takeaway: The economy is stronger than we thought

Red Wave to Repro Wave—and What’s Next - In blue states and red, voters backed reproductive freedoms in the midterm elections

Thank You Fox News for Turning the ‘Red Wave’ into a Purple Ripple

Analysis: Why the news media got the midterm ‘red wave’ narrative so wrong

This Week in the Liars, Grifters, Traitors, and Other Deplorables:

'Brutal': Judge sanctions multiple Trump lawyers over failed Russia investigation lawsuit

The leader of the Oath Keepers may have just doomed himself - Stewart Rhodes's decision to testify in his own defense may backfire

Prosecutors Look at Florida Election Protest as a Model for Jan. 6 - The Justice Department is examining ties among the far-right Proud Boys, Roger Stone and others over their roles in 2018 “Stop the Steal” demonstrations

Anti-trans pundit Matt Walsh tells a lie so big even Joe Rogan called bullshit - When Rogan's producer weighed in with a fact check, the rightwing mouthpiece was forced to admit he'd made up his claims

Father and son both cop to felonies for assaulting police during Capitol riot

In Memoriam:

Max Maven Dies: Mentalist, Magical Historian Was 71

Jeff Cook, Alabama Co-Founder and Guitarist, Dead at 73

Susan Tolsky, ‘Here Come the Brides’ and ‘Madame’s Place’ Actress, Dies at 79

Dan McCafferty, original lead singer of rock band Nazareth, dead at 76

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Friday Five (why are these close edition)

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 07:41:49 GMT

Welcome to the first Friday of November! Do you have any of Halloween candy left?

After most of October being significantly and record-shatteringly warm than usual, much of this week has been colder than usual for this time of year.

Let's move on to this week's Friday Five, shall we? This week I bring you: the top five stories of the week you may not have seen because of everything else, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about truth & justice, five stories about enemies of democracy, and five stories about other kinds of deplorable people (plus some notable obituaries).

Stories of the Week:

Traces of an ancient ocean discovered on Mars

ZERO Kids Got Rainbow Fentanyl for Halloween, Despite Media Hysteria

NASA Prepares to Say ‘Farewell’ to InSight Spacecraft

Largest Potentially Hazardous Asteroid Detected in Eight Years

Simon & Schuster Sale to Penguin Random House Blocked

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Republican book banning attempt defeated after community stands up for LGBTQ people

David Archuleta opens up about stepping back from Mormon Church and healing

This mom's powerful takedown of anti-LGBTQ hypocrisy goes viral for all the right reasons

Quieter queer spaces are worth protecting too - Bars and nightclubs aren't the only queer institutions facing hard times post-COVID

There’s a new legal twist in Florida to block “Don’t Say Gay” and this time there are receipts

This Week in the Truth Matters:

Hillary Clinton: Republicans Not 'Bothered' By Pelosi Attack

“We” Don’t Have a Political Violence Problem. Republicans Do

Pastor Goes Viral With Fiery Sermon About Herschel Walker - The Rev. Jamal Bryant's flaming critique of the Donald Trump-backed GOP Senate nominee has now been seen millions of times online

Federal Judge Bars Far Right Group Surveilling Drop Boxes In Arizona

Clinton wants Trump to pay her legal fees after tossed conspiracy lawsuit

This week in Enemies of Democracy and Other Haters:

Law enforcement ratchets up presence in voting process as some sheriffs push election conspiracy theories

Republican door knockers intimidate voters while hunting for voter fraud, say officials

The irony of the GOP's war on ballot drop boxes - There are layers to the Trump-inspired campaign to intimidate midterms voters

'Flat-out insane': Arizona voters fume at pro-Trump ballot drop box vigilantes

OAN dropped by Frontier - Dan Ball to Frontier, DirecTV, and Verizon: “You three know where you can stick it”

This Week in the Liars, Grifters, Killers, and Other Deplorables:

'The original sin begins with us': 'Fire Pelosi' leader decries right-wing’s 'toxic' rhetoric after assault

Joe Rogan Admits His Litter Boxes Claim Is Bullshit

Trump Org Suddenly Settles Lawsuit With Protesters Beat Up by Its Security Guards Outside Trump Tower

'God Forbid' Jerry Falwell Jr. actually practiced what he preached

Hate speech increased on Twitter after Elon Musk takeover, study finds

In Memoriam:

Pioneering gay country musician Patrick Haggerty has died

Takeoff, member of Atlanta rap group Migos, has died at 28

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Friday Five (in the sweet by and by edition)

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 08:58:24 GMT

Welcome to the fifth Friday of October! Halloween is only a few days away!

It's been rainy and cool all week. We had a windstorm in the wee small hours of Thursday and the power went out just a few minutes before the time my alarm usually goes off. I guess autumn finally is here!

I've spent a log of time this week watching videos of various people interviewing Leslie Jordan. I've started a blog post a couple of times about my feelings over his death. I mean, I was also a sissy boy growing up in Southern Baptist churches, so we had a lot common. I need to finish and post that.

Let's move on to this week's Friday Five, okay? This week I bring you: a story that needs it's own category about being comfortable in your own skin, the top five stories of the week you may not have seen because of everything else, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, and five stories about deplorable people (plus some notable obituaries).

This Week in a Light in the Darkness:

Leslie Jordan’s Powerful Contentment and Happiness

Stories of the Week:

As Ukraine war drags into ninth month, Russia’s woes worsen - In week 35 of the war, Russia was on the defensive as Ukrainian morale remained high

U.S. GDP accelerated at 2.6% pace in Q3, better than expected as economic growth turns positive

Pool boy reveals how Trump fixer secured endorsement by getting Falwell Jr out of blackmail jam

SFF’s Big Fat Problem

Exclusive: Twitter is losing its most active users, internal documents show

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

GOP national 'Don't Say Gay' bill is a brazen attack on LGBTQ existence

Can we please invite Val Demings to every Pride celebration from here on out?

Marriage Equality Now Legal Across All of Mexico

All 50 States Have Seen LGBTQ+ Candidates in 2022, Says Advocacy Group

Local School Board OKs Pride Flag in Classroom

This Week in the Liars, Grifters, Killers, and Other Deplorables:

Darrell Brooks found guilty on all 76 counts in Waukesha Christmas Parade murders, ending weekslong trial

Three men are convicted of supporting a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Epoch Times Loses Defamation Lawsuit About ‘Substantially True’ Reporting on Co-Founder’s Jan. 6th Conspiracy Theories

Fox Corp. Chief Legal Counsel Viet Dinh Failed to Properly Register with California Bar

Here's what changed in Dinesh D'Souza's '2,000 Mules' book after it was recalled

In Memoriam:

Jules Bass, known for work on ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ and other holiday specials, dies

Leslie Jordan Dead: Will & Grace, American Horror Story Star Was 67

Leslie Jordan, Iconic Gay Comedian, Dead at 67 - The beloved actor known for his roles on Will & Grace and American Horror Story died after a car accident

I’ll always remember Leslie Jordan as Brother Boy, a Tammy Wynette-loving drag queen - Jordan's role as Brother Boy, a drag queen who talks to the ghost Tammy Wynette encapsulates everything that is beautiful and brilliant about his talent as an actor. It's hilarious and heartbreaking

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Friday Five (your rights may not edition)

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 08:00:49 GMT

Welcome to the third Friday of October! Spooky season is is full swing!

Though that last couple of week's it's been smoky season. And the temps all this month have been more likt a typical August than October. We've also had almost no rain. Air quality ahs been so bad I've have scratchy throat and itchy eyes and occasianally a wheeze n my lungs. And I do my best to stay inside--I swapped out all the hepa filters on our air cleaners just six weeks ago. I've been wearing a N95+particulate maske anytime I go outside! We're finally supposed to get some rain the next few days, but not sure how soon before the air quality improves.

Let's move on to the Friday Five in which I bring you: a stand-alone story about a grifter getting grifted, the top five stories of the week you may not have seen because of everything else, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about cruelty, and five liars & deplorables (plus some notable obituaries).

This Week in Couldn't Have Happened to a More Deserving Grifter:

Right-wing superhero movie ends 'in disaster' after $1 million in funders' cash goes missing: report

Stories of the Week:

Smithsonian's Baby Cheetah Cam Is the Warmest and Fuzziest Stream on the Internet This Week - You can check in on these newborn cheetah cubs via a 24/7 livestream

Accused of flirting, juror dismissed from Whitmer kidnapping plot trial - Judge Thomas Wilson announced Friday that the woman has been removed from the jury, two days after attorneys raised concerns the juror was having too much non-verbal communication with defendant Paul Bellar

The Closing Of The Lunar Frontier

'Swift-footed lizard' is named the Massachusetts state dinosaur

Watch: Chart-armed Katie Porter makes the case that corporate greed is the primary cause of inflation

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

New York Gov. Hochul signs bill to strengthen benefits for older LGBTQ

Trans people can now easily update their gender with the Social Security Administration - A person's self-designated gender does not have to match their legal documents for them to be able to make the change

Out State Senator Tiara Mack has already made history in Rhode Island. She’s not finished yet. - "I lead with joy. I lead with laughter, and I lead with a fierce commitment to protecting the most marginalized communities through my campaign."

National 'don't say gay' bill would force LGBTQ community to live by Republican lies

Conservative arrested for death threat against superintendent after district put on “watch list” - Charlie Kirk's anti-LGBTQ organization Turning Point USA put the school district on a "radical" watch list. Then came the death threat

This week in Cruelty is the Point:

The Cop Car Has Become the Cop SUV - Nationwide, police car chases now kill more people than tornadoes, lightning, and hurricanes combined

How a Secret Rent Algorithm Pushes Rents Higher

'Hate Is the Point': CNN's Tapper Says Gab Hosts 'Racist' Posts and 'Nazism' – Founder Claims It Has 'Christian Content'

Kansas City Police Called Reports of Serial Killer Targeting Black Women 'Unfounded.' Then a Woman Escaped

The Religious Right and Fox News are Brainwashing People I Love

This Week in the Liars and Other Deplorables:

Trump's legal troubles come to a head in New York

Trump spent $22 million to raise $24 million, filing shows - Trump Spent 91 Cents to Raise Each Dollar as Troubles Mounted - SMS, digital ads and lists ate up most of third-quarter haul

Tucker Carlson Edited Out Kanye West’s Antisemitic Rants, Leaked Footage Shows

Durham Blasted by Experts After New Acquittal: 'Laughed Out of Court Twice'

'Answer the question!' Herschel Walker faces angry crowd as campaign event goes off the rails

In Memoriam:

Robbie Coltrane, Hagrid Actor in ‘Harry Potter’ Franchise, Dies at 72

Kate Bush Eulogizes Robbie Coltrane: “We’ve Lost One of Our Great Treasures” - Coltrane, who starred in Kate Bush’s 2011 “Deeper Understanding” music video, died last week at the age of 72

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and More ‘Harry Potter’ Stars Pay Tribute to Hagrid Actor Robbie Coltrane: ‘One of the Funniest People I’ve Met’

Eclipse the dog, known for riding the bus alone to the dog park, has died She was a very sweet dog. For a couple of years the bus I took to work was the one she rode to the dog park. I met her more than once.

Art Oberto, Seattle’s sausage and jerky king, dies at 95 I missed this one a couple of months ago...

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Friday Five (paying attention edition)

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 08:15:53 GMT

Welcome to the second Friday of October! Spooky season is is full swing!

It's one thing to have spent the last several decades reading about the causes and consequences of climate change. But still having summer temperatures and wild fire alerts in mid-October just feels wrong.

Let's move on to the Friday Five in which I bring you: the top five stories of the week you may not have seen because of everything else, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about haters & deplorables, and five stories and insurrectionists (plus notable obituaries).

Stories of the Week:

LGBTQ kid refuses to let ‘Moms for Liberty’ snatch liberty - Being conservative does not have to mean endorsing extremism or demonizing a 13-year-old with nothing but love in their heart

It’s Not About You: Beyond the Hero’s Journey

Black Hole Pukes Up Star Years After Eating It

A Young Man Became Allergic to Orgasms—but There's a Happy Ending

How Iran's protests transformed into a national uprising

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Top surgery: For trans teens, it can take a long time to get much-needed care

Before Stonewall LGBTQ people rose up at the Black Nite bar. It will soon be a historical landmark

Meet the woman who was jailed 3 times for bringing cannabis brownies to AIDS patients

'I'm sick of being silent': Gay teen catches bullies on camera in viral TikTok video

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters: Vermont station working to correct story of bullied trans teen. Family Research Council isn't happy about that

This week in Haters and Other Deplorables:

On '60 Minutes,' Bart Barber revealed the cruelty of Southern Baptists

Alex Jones unlikely to escape ‘historically high’ defamation award, legal experts say - “He may be forced to live a subsistence type of life,” a New York attorney and former federal prosecutor said.

It’s just murder living in a red state - Republicans' crime message ignores their own murder problem

Parkland Shooter sentenced to life in prison without parole

Supreme Court denies Trump appeal in Mar-a-Lago raid documents case

This Week in the Sedition and Insurrection:

Jan. 6 hearing takeaways: Jarring new footage, evidence Trump knew he lost

New footage shows congressional leadership at Fort McNair on January 6, scrambling to save the US Capitol

These Donald Trump allies are facing criminal referrals from the January 6th Select Committee

Trump isn't the first president to be subpoenaed by Congress: Here are the others - Four past presidents received such demands

Members of Congress stunned by Secret Service 'bombshell' at Jan. 6 hearing

In Memoriam:

Angela Lansbury Dead: ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Star Was 96

Angela Lansbury, star of 'Murder She Wrote,' has died at 96

Let’s not forget what Angela Lansbury did during the worst years of the AIDS epidemic

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Friday Five (don't actually believe edition)

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 07:54:28 GMT

And now we're in the first Friday of October! Spooky season is is full swing!

We had a few more days of unusually warm weather, then a couple of days of cool and damp weather, and now we are getting warmer than usual again!

Let's move on to the Friday Five in which I bring you: a story about bad headline writing and topic framing, the top five stories of the week, and five stories about traitors & liars (plus notable obituaries).

This Week in Click-bait or What-about-ism:

‘Were They Hacked?’: NBC Mocked for Saying Experts Are ‘Puzzling’ Over Why COVID Death Rates Higher for Republicans

Stories of the Week:

America’s Top-Voted Bedtime Story Is Guaranteed To Give Your Kids Nightmares - We’re surprised and a little incredulous. I think that the people who are incredulous don't remember what being a kid was like.

Country Radio Still Won’t Play Loretta Lynn’s “The Pill” - the 1975 hit was an ode to birth control and sexual freedom that shocked the industry and many of the genre’s more conservative listeners

Scooby-Doo’s Velma Is Officially a Lesbian, and Hayley Kiyoko Feels “Alive and Seen” - “You walked so Lesbian Velma could run.”

How Not to Be All About What It’s Not All About: Further Thoughts on Writing About Someone Else’s Culture and Experience

Biden to pardon all federal offenses of simple marijuana possession - begins process to decriminalize

This week in Traitors, Liars, and Thieves:

Oath Keepers trial highlights the right's obsession with finding cheat codes for real life - Stewart Rhodes all but promised his followers he had "one neat trick" to evade criminal charges for sedition

They Want to Keep Teen Girls Married and Pregnant - The far right and evangelical Republicans share a goal of ensnaring young women and girls in their control. Abortion bans give them a giant win

The Scariest Part of the Proud Boys Isn’t the Violence - Andy Campbell, HuffPost reporter and author of “We Are Proud Boys” joins New Abnormal host Andy Levy for a riveting interview about the scary plots the far-right group is hatching

Herschel Walker was caught in another lie — why the GOP reaction this time is eyeopening - Conservative Christians refuse to reckon with the fact that their preferred senator from Georgia is, by their own logic, now an accused murderer

Fulton County prosecutor investigating Trump aims for indictments as soon as December

In Memoriam:

Loretta Lynn, country music icon who sang 'Coal Miner's Daughter,' has died

Loretta Lynn, Coal Miner’s Daughter Turned Country Superstar, Dies at 90

Jim Redmond, who helped his son Derek to finish line at 1992 Olympics, has died

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Friday Five (september ends edition)

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 08:46:39 GMT

Welcome to the final Friday of September. September, the most blesséd month, when superior babies are born.

The air quality remained moderately bad until we finally got some light rain this week. There are some days in the 10-day that leave me thinking we should wait another week before putting away the two roll-out a/c units.

Let's move on to the Friday Five in which I bring you: a story that desperately needing its headline fixed, the top five stories of the week, five stories about climate troubles, five stories about traitors & liars, and five stories about haters (plus one thing I wrote and notable obituary).

This Week in Fixing the Headline for You:

Book Thieves Lose, Authors Win in New Amazon Ebook Policy Change - Amazon will accept your ebook return, but only if you haven't read more than 10% of the book

Stories of the Week:

‘Doesn’t Get to Tell the County What They Can Read’: Lawmaker Blasts Christian in Viral Video Attacking LGBTQ Library Books

Ancient fish fossils highlight the strangeness of our vertebrate ancestors - Nearly 440-million-year-old finds from China are of some of the first vertebrates with jaws

NASA crashes DART spacecraft into asteroid in world's 1st planetary defense test

The Jetsons, now 60 years old, is iconic. That's a problem

President Biden surprised Elton John with the National Humanities Medal

This Week in Climate Crisis:

Ian Again A Hurricane And Heading For South Carolina

“Hurricane Maria Never Finished Leaving Us”: The Aftermath of Fiona in a Puerto Rican Town

Pakistan floods: Children face a new disaster -- diarrhea, dengue and other waterborne diseases

Typhoon Merbok spotlights Alaska’s need for science and climate-resilient infrastructure

Typhoon Noru slams Vietnam after unleashing severe flooding in the Philippines

This week in Traitors, Liars, and Thieves:

Ginni Thomas tells Jan. 6 panel she still believes false election fraud claims, chair says

Kevin McCarthy's House GOP Agenda Rollout Goes Disastrously Off The Rails

GOP Poll Worker Charged With 2 Felonies For Tampering With Voter Equipment - A Republican, eh? How unsurprising

Trump’s Paid Speech And Tour Organizer Can't Pay Its Bills

Capitol rioter, a ‘one man wrecking ball,’ gets 7-year term

This Week in Homophobes and Other Haters:

Bisexuality not covered by federal employment law lawsuit claims

Conservatives go full racist after Lizzo plays a crystal flute - "Lizzo playing James Madison's flute was a form of racial retribution," one conservative pundit wrote. Liberals mocked them on Twitter

Drag Performer Sues Right-Wing Blogger Over Indecent Exposure Claims - Eric Posey, who performs as Mona Liza Million, says Summer Bushnell defamed him with a false accusation of indecent exposure at an Idaho Pride event

Doxxed Doctors, Library Bomb Threats, and Attacks on Pride Centers: A Week in Escalating Anti-LGBTQ Violence - Amid a rising right-wing tide of threats, recent incidents have sadly not been out of the norm

LGBTQ Italians on alert as right-wing alliance triumphs in election - Nationalist leader Giorgia Meloni, who is set to become Italy’s first female premier, has denounced what she calls “gender ideology” and “the LGBT lobby."

In Memoriam:

Maximilian Lerner, Whose Espionage Skills Helped Win a War, Dies at 98

Things I Wrote:

Quick birthday thought from an old gay guy

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Friday Alternative: No fascists edition

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:12:39 GMT

This week has been insane at work with several late nights fixing problems, so there was no time to assemble a proper Friday Five. Look for a links filled post sometime this weekend.

Go to FontFolly.Net for the alternative post.

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Friday Five (voting matters edition)

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 07:23:52 GMT

Welcome to the third Friday of September. September, the most blesséd month, when superior babies are born.

Not long after last week's Friday Five posted, the air quality in my region starting going bad. There are wildfires around, some just on the other end of the county I live in, and all that smoke and particulate matter made breathing a bit unpleasant for a few days. So I wasn't surprised that I had a sinus headache and cough last weekend. There were some other symptoms not obviously related, but I attributed most of it to the air quality. As the air cleared up, my symptoms started letting up. But then my husband started experiencing the same symptoms as I had. So now I'm wondering if I didn't manage to catch something last week that was unrelated to the air quality. Joy!

We'll keep you posted.

Let's move on to the Friday Five in which I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about reacting to bad folks, five stories about toxic fance, and five stories about crooks and traitor (plus a notable obituary).

Stories of the Week:

Idaho Far Right’s Election Loss to 18-Year-Old Climate Activist

The mystery of why some people don’t catch COVID - Scientists think they might hold the key to helping protect us all

Scholar who saw all this coming: Americans "do not really understand liberal democracy"

These Incredibly Clever Tweets Prove How Complicated The Queen's Death Was For Some Of Us

U.S. Inflation Falls For 2nd Straight Month On Lower Gas Costs

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Two-Thirds of Swing State Voters Support Marriage Equality - The findings come from the Human Rights Campaign as the Respect for Marriage Act awaits debate in the U.S. Senate

Florida city condemns school district for refusing to recognize LGBTQ History Month - The Miami-Dade School Board voted 8-1 against recognizing October as LGBTQ History Month. The "Don't Say Gay" law is to blame

LibsofTikTok targeted a school district’s Pride mural project, with little success - Chaya Raichik called on her army of haters to swamp a California school district's LGBTQ art project. It didn't go so well

Montana judge blocks anti-transgender birth certificate rule - Conservative lawmakers in numerous states have sought to restrict transgender rights

Boston Marathon to feature nonbinary category next year - For nonbinary athletes, the qualifying standards will initially be the same as those in the women’s field, the Boston Athletic Association said

This Week in Reacting to Bad Guys:

Elena Kagan: Judges Create Their Own 'Legitimacy Problems'

GOP senators led by Graham slam Trump Jan. 6 pardon promise

Hardee’s mocks Mike Lindell after he claimed the FBI took his phone at one of its Minnesota locations

Ocasio-Cortez blasts GOP lawmaker’s treatment of witness: ‘I’m trying to give you the floor, boo’

Mueller Investigator on Possible Trump Second Term: ‘I Don’t Have Enough Alcohol in My Apartment to Deal with That’

This Week in Toxic Fans:

Racists Are Worried About the Historical Accuracy of Mermaids - Apparently they can't handle Halle Bailey singing "Part of Your World" in the new 'Little Mermaid' trailer

'The Little Mermaid' Was Originally a Metaphor for Unrequited Gay Love

Fear of a Black Hobbit - The demand to keep politics out of art is too often a demand for art to conform to conservative politics And I have some quibbles with this excerpt, but it makes some good point: "prominent genre brands like Star Wars, or Marvel, or Lord of the Rings also have the difficult task of creating content for children while still satisfying their middle-aged stalwarts, whose nostalgia is ultimately insatiable because they cannot look upon novel material with the same emotional intensity they felt as children. Many older fans are convinced they can’t recapture that intensity only because the producers themselves have failed to create stories of the same fundamental quality, when in reality they have simply outgrown the sentiment they are chasing. These campaigns seek to convince this audience that the feeling they are pursuing can be recaptured, if only those making popular art would reject modern progressive dogma—thus creating a well of cultural resentment they can manipulate for political purposes."

‘The Boys’ To ‘The Rings Of Power:’ Everyone Is Tired Of Toxic Fans

The Sandman creator Neil Gaiman ruthlessly hits back at troll’s ‘woke’ moaning

This Week in the Crooks, Traitors, and Other Deplorables:

Republican county election commissioner is arrested and charged by the FBI

'List of Political Grievances': Judge Delivers Damning Rebuke as He Tosses Trump RICO-Like Lawsuit Against Clinton

Donald Trump’s Lawyers Reveal That Merrick Garland’s Justice Department Has Backed Them Into a Legal Corner

Trump-appointed judge convicts three Jan. 6 defendants but acquits two of them on obstruction charge

Oath Keepers want to suppress evidence of Zello chat host ordering arrests of 'treasonous' congressmembers

In Memoriam:

Fred Franzia, Two Buck Chuck Creator, Dies

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Friday Five (good news first edition)

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 08:46:00 GMT

Welcome to the second Friday of September. September, the most blesséd month, when superior babies are born.

It has been a weird week. The large volcano that can be seen from when the weather is particularly clear has started venting. If it goes we're all going to die. That isn't really an exaggeration. And the night before last we had a small earthquake from one of the many, many, many fault lines around here. It woke me up, but I didn't realize it was an earthquake. My husband slept through it.

Because for so many, many, many, many months the nes has been so full of crazy and horrifying news, I decided to mix things up a bit this time. So this week I bring you: Five stories that have nothing alarming at all, five stories about science fiction and fact, five more typical stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers & our allies, and five stories about traitors. Plus a bunch of notable obituaries.

This Week in Interesting and Not Alarming:

FDA Finalizes Historic Rule Enabling Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for Millions of Americans

COVID tax relief: IRS provides broad-based penalty relief for certain 2019 and 2020 returns due to the pandemic; $1.2 billion in penalties being refunded to 1.6 million taxpayers

New Raspberry Rally Girl Scout Cookie Joins Nationwide Lineup for 2023 Season

Barack and Michelle Obama make first joint return to the White House for unveiling of official portraits

The Cartoon Mystery That Stumped the Internet

This Week in Science Fact and Fiction:

Here Are the Winners of the 2022 Hugo Awards

Beloved sci-fi bookstore, established in '70s, reopens after burning down during unrest

You’ve Been Thinking of Australian Mammals All Wrong

In Ethiopia, scientists identify a fossil otter the size of a lion

Fascinating video demonstrates that none of us has any idea what a continent actually is

Stories of the Week:

Another dam(n) extinction: Another rare plant destroyed by a hydroelectric dam

Reionization of the Universe occurred 1.1 billion years after the Big Bang

Search for missing Native artifacts led to the discovery of bodies stored in ‘the most inhumane way possible’

Mystery of woman who went to ER and vanished 32 years ago solved - Myrtle Brown went to a hospital in Brooklyn in 1990 and was never heard from again. Her family was finally able to hold a virtual memorial for her

Neil Gaiman Slaps Back At Elon Musk For Criticizing Amazon’s ‘Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power’ — Update

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

‘Casa Susanna’ Review: A Lost Chapter of Queer History Comes to Life

Country star raises over $100,000 for trans youth after denouncing influencer’s transphobia - Country musician Maren Morris is totally our hero of the day

Trans Floridians sue to block Medicaid rule excluding gender-affirming care - Human rights groups are suing Florida on behalf of four Medicaid beneficiaries who have been denied coverage of their gender-affirming medical care under a new state rule

Lil Nas X voguing to Beyoncé on tour is giving the internet life

Former dean of Christian boarding school charged with abducting teen Important note: the only reason any criminal charges were brought is because the mother of the teen -- who hired this anti-gay a-holes to kidnap her child and torture them to try to make them straight -- didn't have legal custody. Nightmares like this happen to hundreds of kids every year with no consequences to the adults because the parents initiated it...

This Week in the Crooks, Traitors, and Other Deplorables:

When, Where and For What Mar-a-Lago Crimes Should Garland Indict Trump?

We've reached the endgame of Trump's imperial presidency - The Washington Post's report about nuclear secrets at Mar-a-Lago further exposes Trump's attempts to wield presidential power after losing in 2020

Trump’s Lawyers Might Think They Just Won. They Still Botched the Case - Trump’s incompetent attorneys turned an administrative matter into a possible criminal indictment. The appointment of a special master doesn’t change that

DOJ appeals decision to order special master to review evidence seized in Mar-a-Lago search and says it's halted intelligence review

Steve Bannon pleads not guilty to NY state charges of money laundering, conspiracy and fraud related to border wall effort

In Memoriam:

Queen Elizabeth II has died

SETI Pioneer Frank Drake Leaves a Legacy of Searching for Voices in the Void

Award-Winning Underground Comics Writer/Artist Diane Noomin Dies at 75

Peter Straub Dead: Horror Novelist, Stephen King Collaborator Was 79

Anne Garrels, longtime foreign correspondent for NPR, has died at 71

CNN anchor Bernard Shaw dead at 82

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Friday Five (incompetently concealing treason edition)

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 07:56:58 GMT

Welcome to the first Friday of September. September, the most blesséd month, when superior babies are born.

It's been a week. Again.

It's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: two bonus categories, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers are our allies, five stories about election stuff, plus an obituary.

This Week in Justice:

Ex-NYPD officer who assaulted D.C. officer on Jan. 6 gets record 10-year sentence - Thomas Webster, a retired New York City officer, was convicted of several felonies for attacking a Washington officer with a flagpole and tackling him to the ground on Jan. 6

Proud Boy sentenced to 4.5 years in prison in Jan. 6 case, still says election was stolen - The judge who sentenced Joshua Pruitt, a former Washington, D.C., bartender, called the Jan. 6 riot "a national disgrace."

This Week in The Former Guy:

Ex-Trump Aides Say He Probably Has More Sensitive Documents At Other Properties - Michael Cohen and John Bolton said they suspect Trump could have more classified documents stored in Bedminster, New Jersey, and elsewhere

The DOJ's new filing punctures Trump's greatest delusion - Trump thinks that ex-president's are somehow a protected class under the law. The Justice Department disagrees

Stories of the Week:

Biden delivers prime-time speech on the "battle for the soul of the nation" in Philadelphia

Are lightning bugs disappearing from night skies? Dimming prospects face some fireflies

It Is Long Past Time To Give Up On Most Of The Right - The Fever Will Never Break

Attacks on the LGBTQ+ Community Amount to Stochastic Terrorism

Remember Al Gore? - 2000 vs. 2020 (and 2022)

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

California may act as U.S. refuge for transgender youths - Legislation would provide legal refuge to parents from other states who risk having their trans children taken away or being prosecuted if they support their children’s access to gender-affirming care

Biden Administration Outlines Measures to End HIV by 2030 - The plan calls for an increase in testing, education, and access to PrEP at a time when those are endangered

‘A League of Their Own’ remake shows what it’s like to be Black and trans in the 1940s - Lea Robinson, a Black nonbinary and transgender actor, plays the role of a Black trans man known as Bertie Hart in the new Amazon series

Virginia Won’t Ban Books for Obscenity—for Now - “We have to keep working our way up the ladder,” said the Republican stage legislator who brought the case

New Super PAC To Target Anti-LGBTQ Candidates - Agenda PAC says their aim is to defeat candidates who oppose same-sex marriage and other rights for LGBTQ Americans

Elections and Related:

Ron DeSantis’ First Voter Fraud Bust Is Quickly Imploding - The governor’s own administration greenlighted the defendants’ voter registration applications. Now it has arrested them for voting

Michigan groups ask state court to put abortion rights measure on the Nov. ballot - The amendment — now in limbo — would insert permanent protections into the state’s constitution for abortion and other reproductive health services

'Really?!' Bewildered Sarah Palin implodes after losing congressional race to a Democrat

Florida GOP leader to quit after conviction in 'ghost' candidate scandal: report

"Corrupt as hell": Ginni Thomas effort to overturn Trump's loss even more extensive than reported - It wasn't just Arizona — messages show Thomas leaning on Wisconsin lawmakers to block Biden's win

In Memoriam:

Mikhail Gorbachev, Soviet leader who helped end the Cold War, has died - Born in the village of Privolnoye, Gorbachev grew up a committed communist during World War II. He wound up winning a Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for helping end the Cold War

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Friday Five (what century are we in edition)

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 07:18:38 GMT

Welcome to the fourth Friday of August.

It's been a week.

It's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: two bonus categories, the top five stories of the week and five stories of interest to queers are our allies (plus a couple of things I wrote).

This Week in We've Been Telling You:

Daylight Savings Time Turns Us Into Terrible People by Making Us Exhausted, Study Finds

This Week in the Dreams:

Some Very Biased Thoughts about The Sandman on Netflix

Stories of the Week:

How a far-right, Christian cellphone company ‘took over’ four Texas school boards - Patriot Mobile markets itself as “America’s only Christian conservative wireless provider.” Now the Trump-aligned company is on a mission to win control of Texas school boards

Webb’s Jupiter Images Showcase Auroras, Hazes

‘The Future We Deserve’: This Florida Gen Z Candidate Thinks He Can Chart a New Path For the Youth

Oldest human relative walked upright 7 million years ago

[Study: Trump Tax Cuts Failed to Help Anybody But the Wealthy](Study: Trump Tax Cuts Failed to Help Anybody But the Wealthy) Big surprise...

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Texas church that performed unlicensed and homophobic version of 'Hamilton' forced to donate to LGBTQ causes

Judge blocks Utah’s transgender sports ban for being discriminatory - The injunction is the first victory for three families of trans children who sued the state

6 LGBTQ candidates won their Florida primaries. They all oppose the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law - For these candidates, the law isn't only a personal insult to their dignity and families, it also endangers queer kids across the country

Federal court rules that trans youth healthcare ban is a form of sex discrimination - Arkansas cannot enact its law banning gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth

Former Marine Disarms Man Who Brought Grenade To Gay Bar

Things I Wrote:

Chuck is the artist, Chas is the writer

There are things worse than gatekeeping…

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Friday Five (we told you so edition)

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 15:39:52 GMT

Welcome to the third Friday of August!

Weird week in many ways. Had a bit of an adventure in the middle of the week during my drive down and back from visiting my mom. The weather has continued to be hot, though we didn't break one record some meterologists thought we might this week.

It's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: one bonus category, the top five stories of the week and five stories about traitors and other deplorables.

This Week in Song Parodies:

Stories of the Week:

World's biggest mod site bans mods replacing Pride flags: 'We don't want to and won't argue this with you' - Following community drama around a Spider-Man mod, Nexusmods says enough is enough

Jim Crow, Science Fiction, and WorldCon

Yes, the Government Really Does Stash Billions of Pounds of Cheese in Missouri Caves

Researchers identify ancient bird behind giant eggs from Down Under

USPS reform act 2022: What the new overhaul law means for you

This Week in the Crooks, Traitors, and Other Deplorables:

Graham, Giuliani run from Georgia DA faster than Hawley during a Capitol riot

MAGA Crowd Already Decrying Now-Dead FBI Attempted Shooter As False Flag Crisis Actor

Arizona Republican secretary of state nominee kept 'Treason Watch List' and posted about stockpiling ammunition on Pinterest

No One Wants to Be Donald Trump’s Lawyer

Kansas Man Offers His House, Dips Into Retirement Savings to Fund Abortion Vote Recount

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Friday Five (like christmas edition)

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 07:42:49 GMT

Welcome to the second Friday of August!

Many days this week the weather was cool in the morning and hot in the evening. We had one exciting afternoon with a surprise thunderstorm. And I'm focusing on the weather this week because I don't want to talk about other things other than to repeat vehemently: fuck cancer.

It's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: two bonus categories about legends and dreams, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about deplorables facing consequences, and some notable obituaries.

This Week in Legends:

Bill Russell’s No 6 jersey retired across NBA, in 1st for league - Bill Russell’s number 6 jersey is being retired across the National Basketball Association in the United States

This Week in the Dreams:

Netflix's Sandman has achieved the impossible - Don't give up on your dreams, kids!

Comics: 3 Reasons The Sandman is one of the best comic books ever

Stories of the Week:

Colbert Says FBI’s Trump Raid Is Like Christmas: ‘We All Got the Present We Wanted’ - Colbert also depicts librarians as Trump-hunting ninja on ”The Late Show“ “We still don’t why the raid happened, because we don’t yet know what was in the warrant. Think about that. We’re talking about the former president of the United States of America, the FBI raids his home, and all we can think is, ‘Hmmm, I wonder which of his crimes they’re investigating? ‘Cause he’s done so many, it’s hard.'”

‘There is no uprising’ for Trump after FBI search - MSNBC’S Lawrence O’Donnell explains why there was no uprising of the 5.6 million Florida Trump voters or the nation’s 74 million voters after Donald Trump’s home was searched by the FBI and why the media continues to distort the reaction of a tiny number of Trump’s followers

Yes, the Inflation Reduction Act Is a Big Effing Deal - While the bill that just survived the Senate is a whittled-down version of the Build Back Better Act, it still puts the Democratic party on a promising new path

Payrolls increased 528,000 in July, much better than expected in a sign of strength for jobs market

U.S. gasoline prices fall below $4 for first time since March

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Hero baker comes to the rescue after lesbian couple denied wedding cake by homophobe - A baker in New York has come to the rescue after a lesbian couple was denied a wedding cake by a homophobic vendor

Trans equality wins in federal court as state Medicaid ordered to pay for gender affirming care - West Virginia's Medicaid program has denied gender-affirming care for trans people since 2013. On Tuesday, a judge put an end to the discriminatory policy

Montreal Pride parade was suddenly canceled. That didn’t stop hundreds from marching in the streets - Everyone from the mayor on down was angry that it was canceled hours before it was supposed to start. That's when it turned into a protest march

Homophobic conservatives are trying to wreck public libraries, but people are fighting back

Being gay is not a disease, Vietnam tells its medical workers in bid to end anti-LGBTQ discrimination

This Week in the Deplorables Face Consequences:

Merrick Garland calls Trump’s bluff - After Trump allies demanded he reveal the warrant behind the search of Mar-a-Lago, the attorney general moved to do just that. And the former president agreed

Man Who Allegedly Attempted To Break Into Cincinnati FBI Building Dead After Standoff

Ex-Va. police officer gets more than 7 years for role in Jan. 6 riot - Sentence for former Rocky Mount officer Thomas Robertson matches highest punishment for a Capitol riot defendant so far

NYPD Fires Officer Over Working For “Known Felon” - Roger Stone NYPD cop pal Sal Greco fired by police commissioner, plans $25 million lawsuit

Report: FBI delivers subpoenas to several Pa. Republican lawmakers

In Memoriam:

Olivia Newton-John Dead: Hollywood Pays Tribute

Olivia Newton-John: Beloved Singer, Actress, & LGBTQ+ Icon Dies at 73

Olivia Newton-John Dead: Beloved Actress & Singer Dies at 73

Roger E. Mosley Dead: ‘Magnum, P.I.’ Actor Was 83

David McCullough, historian and film narrator, died at 89

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Friday Five (trailblazing edition)

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:09:14 GMT

Welcome to the first Friday of August!

After a streak of record-breaking hot, humid days, we're getting a couple of days of relief including some light rain! If the forecast is correct, the heat will be back soon, alas.

It's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: two bonus stories about people f-ers facing consequences, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about elections, five stories about haters and traitors, five stories about another epidemic, and some notable obituaries.

This Week in F-ing Around and Finding Out:

MAGA Influencer’s Social Media Blabbing Leads to Jan. 6 Charges

74-year-old Long Island man sentenced to prison for dozens of anti-LGBTQ death threats - Sentenced to 30 months in prison for mailing more than 60 letters containing death threats

Stories of the Week:

Biden’s long-game economic success story

How Kansas women 'surprised' America - The math never changed. But the mainstream media failed to note just what a paradigm shift the loss of Roe was — and will continue to be.

Randy Rainbow Torches GOP’s ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ Response to Mass Shootings in New Parody Song (Video)

Go Ask Alice: why a Mormon mom made up stories of teen drug life that swept America

The Founder of GeoCities on What Killed the 'Old' Internet

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Study argues that “social contagion” isn’t making the kids today transgender - The "social contagion" claim has long been repeated by right-wing politicians and activists who support laws criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth.

West Virginia Medicaid Must Cover Trans Surgery, Judge Rules

House Dems seek IRS review of anti-LGBTQ organization’s tax status - Family Research Council designated ‘association of churches’

Michigan Supreme Court rules sex discrimination ban includes sexual orientation

Some Republicans see good politics in same-sex marriage bill - As the Senate contemplates legislation to protect same-sex marriages, there has been a sharp shift in Republican support for the issue

Elections and Related:

'Kansas will not be our last fight': Abortion rights victory gives Democrats new hope for midterms

Recount confirms Tina Peters lost her Secretary of State primary - Recount Confirms Election Denier Lost Big

A Georgia district attorney opposes Lindsey Graham’s attempt to quash a subpoena in a probe of efforts to overturn the 2020 election

The Republicans Who Want Election Laws to ‘Stay Broken’ - MAGA-Land is trying to make sure the FEC is never able to function again

Florida Republican candidate may be ineligible after canceling registration in fit of rage in January 2021: ‘Thank you communists’

This Week in Liars, Homophobes, and Other Deplorables:

Alex Jones’ spontaneous cell death

How a Child-Killer Set the Stage for Today's Republicans to Revel in Cruelty

The backlash to Christianity: Republicans are now panicked — but they only have themselves to blame

Records tied to $600,000 money transfer subpoenaed in Miami ‘ghost’ candidate case - Probe Widens In Republican “Ghost Candidates” Scheme

Town votes to defund library after claims it was “grooming” kids - "They are trying to groom our children to believe that it’s OK to have these sinful desires," a defund activist said. "It's not a political issue, it's a Biblical issue."

This Week in the Other Epidemic:

Monkeypox Declared Public Health Emergency by Biden Administration

Monkeypox is not a "gay disease" but it is being painted that way worldwide

Here's What You Should Know About Monkeypox In Children - Although there have been at least five cases of monkeypox in kids in the US, public health officials say that they believe the chance of widespread infections in youngsters is remote, even with a new school year just around the corner

It May Be Too Late to Stop Monkeypox Becoming Endemic in the U.S. and Europe

The smallpox vaccine stockpile isn’t the monkeypox solution we need — yet - Public health leaders are weighing significant trade-offs to ACAM2000, including the vaccine’s side effects

In Memoriam:

Nichelle Nichols Dead: Uhura in Original 'Star Trek' Series Was 89

Nichelle Nichols' Death Sparks Tributes From 'Star Trek' Stars

Nichelle Nichols completed her "Star Trek" mission so that I'd never know a world without Lt. Uhura - Nichols' career was mainly related to "Star Trek." But if she'd quit, a galaxy of talent may never have emerged

Nichelle Nichols, trailblazing 'Star Trek' actress, dies at 89

Pat Carroll Dead: Actress and Voice of Ursula in The Little Mermaid

R.I.P. Pat Carroll, staple on classic television and Ursula's voice in The Little Mermaid - The Emmy award-winning actress was 95

Celtics legend Bill Russell, towering champion in Boston, dies at 88

Bill Russell's Lifelong Fight Against Racism

Obama on Bill Russell: ‘Today we lost a giant’

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Friday Five (not nearly angry enough edition)

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 08:21:43 GMT

Welcome to the fifth and final Friday of July!

The weather has been unpleasantly hot. And it's a very humid hot. Nuff said.

It's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: two stories about an insult that backfired, two stories about the other epidemic, two stories about a previously reported death threat, the top five stories of the week, five election-related stories, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about haters, and four notable obituaries.

This Week in Making Lemonade Out of Douche-bag Comments:

Matt Gaetz body-shamed a queer teen. She used the publicity to raise $168K for abortion funds - Olivia Julianna, 19, parlayed the congressman’s attack into an opportunity to do some good

Teen Activist Won't Stop Making Gaetz Pay For Abortions Across The U.S. That last update I saw, the fund was above 1 million...

This Week in the Other Infectious Disease Emergency:

Here’s Why We Should Stop Calling It ‘Monkeypox’

New HHS reg seeks non-discrimination in health care as monkeypox spreads

This Week Following Up on News About a Death Threat:

Man accused in threats to kill Rep. Pramila Jayapal charged

Jayapal blames Trump for violence after threats against her

Stories of the Week:

Jackie Robinson Museum opens in New York after 14 years of planning

The colloquial definition of a recession isn’t actually the correct one, no matter what the financial press or Fox News says

Two decades of Alzheimer's research may be based on deliberate fraud that has cost millions of lives

Bioluminescent backlighting illuminates the complex visual signals of a social squid in the deep sea

Brooklyn Public Library Offers Free eCards to Teens Nationwide Facing Book Bans in Local Communities

Elections and Related:

She ran the Nevada Republican Party. She just endorsed Democrats for the next election

Judge: Wisconsin probe found 'absolutely no' election fraud - Liberal Group Awarded Legal Fees In WI Election Suit

The Forgotten Constitutional Weapon Against Voter Restrictions

Georgia GOP chair appears before Atlanta-area grand jury in election probe

Democrats are finally bringing the rage. More of this, please - Democrats participating in civil disobedience for abortion rights is a good thing

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Whoopi Goldberg destroys Jim Jones' same-sex marriage argument

Bakery refuses to back down after receiving threats over family-friendly drag performance

LGBTQ people, keep voting against anyone who votes against you

Record-setting college athlete says coming out as gay was the best thing he did for his career - Kade McCall has excelled at the hammer throw at Kansas State. Since coming out, he feels completely free

Indiana Judge Allows Trans Girl to Rejoin Softball Team - The girl's school had told her parents she couldn't play on the team anymore after the passage of the state's anti-trans sports bill

This Week in Liars, Homophobes, and Other Deplorables:

Former Covington Catholic Student Nick Sandmann Loses Defamation Lawsuits Against CBS, ABC, NYT, and Others

Twitter is letting anti-trans account Libs of TikTok target Pride events, including those that right-wing extremists disrupted

They Don’t Know Us. But They Hate Us.

Why did the GOP reject a bill to help veterans exposed to toxins? - If there's a defense for Senate Republicans rejecting a bill to help sick veterans, after having already voted for a similar bill, it's hiding well

QAnon Rioter Pleads Guilty To Felony, Faces 20 Years - Ohio Woman Pleads Guilty to Felony Charge for Actions in Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

In Memoriam:

Paul Sorvino Dead: ‘Goodfellas,’ Law & Order’ Actor Was 83

Tony Dow, Who Played Wally Cleaver on ‘Leave It to Beaver,’ Dies a Day After Erroneous Announcement

Doctor Who's Bernard Cribbins Dead at 93

David Warner Dead: ‘Titanic,’ ‘Time Bandits,’ And ‘The Omen’ Star Was 80

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Friday Five (too much suffering edition)

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 07:09:16 GMT

Welcome to the fourth Friday of July!

It's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about haters, five stories about traitors, and two notable obituaries.

Stories of the Week:

While All Eyes Were on Covid, HIV Researchers Were Making Progress on “The Holy Grail of Vaccines”

US recovers more than half a million dollars in ransom payments to North Korea

'Normal Family' author Chrysta Bilton has a sperm donor dad and 35 siblings

Wild Bison Now Roam the UK for First Time in Thousands of Years

Guard Rails Around the Bottomless Pit - The Villain, Considered as Safety Tool

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

This little-known “unabashedly gay” doo-wop duo ran the ’50s club circuit

Penguin Random House erects billboards displaying work from LGBTQ+ writers in response to recent book bans

My Daughter Is Trans. I’m Done Debating Whether She Has a Right to Exist

Gender-Affirming Care Improves Mental Health—and May Save Lives

House passes marriage equality for same-sex couples bill. 157 Republicans voted against it

This Week in Homophobia and Transphobia:

White supremacists destroyed a Pride mural. The video they made got them arrested

2022 is already a record year for state bills seeking to curtail LGBTQ rights, ACLU data shows

Why Republicans support abortion bans with no exception for rape, incest, or health of the mother

What’s Happening With The Vinton Public Library

Anti-LGBTQ Alabama pastor sentenced to 10 years in prison for molesting boys - “He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.”

This Week in Liars, Deplorables, and Seditious Traitors:

There is a gap in the evidence we've seen against Trump. We have to rely on the DOJ to fill it

Stephen Colbert Spots Exact Moment Steve Bannon Spilled The Beans On Trump

National Archives demands Secret Service probe into ‘erased’ text messages

DHS inspector general meets with House select committee regarding Secret Service erasing text messages from January 6

Trump Is Going Down and He Is Taking Evangelicals with Him

In Memoriam:

Eric Flint (1947-2022)

Herbert W. Franke Dead: Pioneering Digital Artist and Science Fiction Author Dies at 95

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Friday Five (chaotic f--ing mess edition)

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 15:02:53 GMT

And here we are at the third Friday of July!

When I mentioned how difficult a time I was having trying to sift through the stories I thought important this week to get into a few categories, a friend commented, "I’m constantly amazed that you haven’t had a 'The Friday Five - The World is a Chaotic Fucking Mess, and the 5 by 5’s is now 3125'" and I decided at least part of that could be this week's title. Anyway...

Anyway, it's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: two stories about a rightwingnut making death threats, two stories about how both-sidism enables the badguys, two stories about consequences, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about haters, five stories about deplorables of many kinds, and two notable obituaries.

This Week in Death Threats:

'I'm Going to Kill You': Congresswoman Jayapal Targeted in Alleged Hate Crime - "The right-wingers crying over protesters often won't talk about their deranged supporters threatening to kill lawmakers with an ounce of care or concern," said Rep. Ilhan Omar in response to the attack on her colleague

Man accused of threatening to kill Rep. Jayapal released after prosecutors fail to file charges in time

This Week in Neutrality Enables the Baddies:

Social media networks fail to protect LGBTQ users

There’s a Strong Chance a Conservative Will Try to Kill Me Because of My Writing - In America, you’re not even allowed to acknowledge the Civil War was an act of treason

This Week in Just Desserts:

ABBA used to drown out anti-LGBTQ+ ‘bigots’ in ‘Nazi regalia’ protesting drag brunch

There Is No Constitutional Right to Eat Dinner - Claims that Justice Brett Kavanaugh had his rights violated by protesters outside a D.C. restaurant fail on originalist grounds

Stories of the Week:

‘Extinct’ Tree Is Still Alive in a Texas Park—but Barely

Far out: NASA space telescope's 1st cosmic view goes deep

How the January 6 committee has already succeeded

Abortion Rights Supporters Are in Step With the Mainstream - Taking shots at the Democratic Party regulars who do the work is very unhelpful

Walgreens Clerk Refuses To Sell Condoms To Whore Of Babylon - Just kidding, she was a nice married lady on vacation with her husband. Not that there's anything wrong with being a whore of Babylon!

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Summer of love: LGBTQ people across sports tie the knot and get engaged - People across sports, and the Outsports community, are expressing their love this summer

14 LGBTQ+ Pride Celebrations Held in Rural or Small-Town America

Most Texas, Florida voters say transgender youth should have access to gender-affirming care

Lynda Carter on Supporting Trans Community, New Music and Why 'Wonder Woman' is a Queer Icon

DC drag queens sprang into action as soon as abortion was overturned & they’re making a difference - The Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v Wade set off a flurry of political organizing in the LGBTQ community. LGBTQ elders are bracing for a protracted battle while gender-nonconforming queers lead the fight

This Week in Homophobia and Transphobia:

Florida school axes anti-LGBTQ bullying prevention measure because of Don’t Say Gay law - The Don't Say Gay law says education about sexual orientation has to be "age appropriate." This school is worried that an anti-bullying video could get them sued

Man sues library board over LGBTQ & antiracism books. He has the nuttiest argument possible - He hasn't even read the 50 books he wants banned, but he's sure that reading Allison Bechdel's books is the same as having sex in front of kids

Canadian LGBTQ+ youth centre attacked by extremist Libs of Tik-Tok - The hateful messaging targeting the LGBTQ+ youth centre includes death threats and other violent comments on social media

Conservative Texas Lawyer Targets PrEP Access After Abortion Rights

Republicans have 'plans' for the LGBTQ - especially the transgender - community if they take over Congress

This Week in Liars, Deplorables, and Seditious Traitors:

Conservatives Called an Ohio Rape Case Fake News. Now an Arrest Has Been Made - Right-wing commentators and politicians cast doubt on a report that a 10-year-old girl who traveled to get an abortion was raped. Law enforcement says the alleged perpetrator has confessed ... and it gets worse: Conservatives Respond to Child Rape Arrest by Vilifying the Doctors Who Cared For Her - Todd Rokita, Indiana’s Republican attorney general, is trying to smear a doctor for not reporting an abortion given to a 10-year-old who was raped. The doctor did, however, report it

Arrest sought of Colorado clerk in voting tampering case - Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters and her chief deputy are being prosecuted for allegedly allowing a copy of a hard drive to be made during an update of election equipment in May 2021

Secret Service erased text messages from January 5 and 6, 2021 -- after oversight officials asked for them, watchdog says

Former US Attorney Says ‘Strong Case’ That ‘Trump Committed 5 Counts of Manslaughter’

Judge orders Sen. Lindsey Graham to testify for special grand jury in Trump election probe

In Memoriam:

R.I.P. Monty Norman, songwriter behind the James Bond theme

Larry Storch of TV's 'F Troop' dies at 99

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Friday Five (for who, exactly, edition)

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 07:09:59 GMT

And here we are at the second Friday of July!

In the post I published on Wednesday I commented upon the fact that I have been doing virtually no blogging for months other than Friday Five. And I plan to continue to publish the weekly Friday Five. But I have to admit that we are all living in what more and more appears to be the absolute worst timeline, and looking back on what categories have been appearing again and again in the Friday Five these last several months makes me feel as if all I'm doing is contributing to everyone else's Doom Scrolling.

I know I can't prevent Doom Scrolling. And I'm not going to try to limit myself only to feel-good stories (for various reasons that I ought to write a real blog post about). What I'm going to do this week, at least, is limit further the numer of links posted.

Anyway, it's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: the top five stories of the week, a link to the other post I made this week, and two notable obituary.

Stories of the Week:

This couldn’t happen anywhere: How coverage of the shooting failed Highland Park - Mass shootings are seemingly disparate, but almost all mass shooters are motivated by bigoted extremism that festers online

Meet Meraxes Giga, a Ferocious Dinosaur With Teeny Arms Like T. Rex

The Myth of 'I'm Bad at Math'

Wonder Woman stands up for trans people in wake of Bette Midler’s & Macy Gray’s attacks

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill ending “walking while trans” law

In Memoriam:

The Godfather star James Caan dies aged 82

Joe Turkel Dead: The Shining Bartender, Tyrell in Blade Runner Was 94

Things I Wrote:

Midweek Update: Gullibility at its worst?

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Friday Five (we're not overreacting edition)

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 07:27:29 GMT

Welcome to the first Friday of July!

We finally rolled the portable a/c units out of the closet last week. It's been hot and the pollen count is high. That has not resulted in a pleasant week.

Anyway, it's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: two stories about the christianist-nazis who are destroying freedom, two stories about not giving up, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about homophobes/transphobes, five stories about deplorable/treasonous people, and one notable obituary.

This Week in Fascism Destroying Our Nation:

How the Christian right took over the judiciary and changed America - Leaders of the movement understood very well that if you can capture the courts, you can change society The Nazis have control of the Supreme Court.

Anti-Abortion Activists Will Aim Viciousness at Marriage Equality

This Week in Not Giving Up:

How To Support Abortion Rights After Supreme Court Opinion

Lori Lightfoot doesn’t give AF if you were offended by her comments about Clarence Thomas

Stories of the Week:

In about-face, Biden backs filibuster change for U.S. abortion rights

Many Pakistanis dig the cultural nods on 'Ms. Marvel' but are mixed on casting

The U.S. to offer nearly 300,000 doses of monkeypox vaccine in coming weeks

Pride Supporters Drown Out Proud Boys At Texas Library Event

Early human fossils found in cave are a million years older than expected

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

Democrats introduce Transgender Bill of Rights to fight Republican anti-LGBTQ attacks One of those introducing this bill is my own Representative.

LGBTQ lawmakers win primaries in 3 states

The GOP Is Terrorizing LGBTQ+ Youth, But the Kids Are Fighting Back

World's oldest Methodist church to allow gay marriage

The New York City Queer Liberation March proves “We’re still here. And we’re still fighting.” - Is joy the queer community's greatest weapon?

This Week in Homophobia and Transphobia:

New Documents On Foiled Patriot Front Attack Of Idaho LGBTQ Pride Event Show FBI Monitored Multiple Hate Groups A Year Prior

Are LGBTQ Republicans similar to Jews for Hitler? - As history has clearly shown, LGBTQ people who support the far-right Republican agenda are on a one-way path to self-destruction

Oregon School’s Ridiculous Battle Over ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Ends With Book Ban

Why Is Chris Pratt Lying About His Religious Past? And why does he think anyone is stupid enough to believe it?

Safe-space clubs for LGBTQ students increasingly targeted by right-wing activists

This Week in Haters, Deplorables, and Seditious Traitors:

Conservative lays out 5 reasons why Cassidy Hutchinson’s 'stunning' testimony was so damning for Trump and his allies

SCOTUS term: what this court is saying about men’s rights versus women’s

Proud Boys Terrorize Drag Queen Story Hour in Nevada

Election deniers have taken their fraud theories on tour — to nearly every state

Trump Is in Trouble and He Knows It - The two big stories of this week are more closely linked than meets the eye

In Memoriam:

Marlin Briscoe, the 1st Black starting quarterback in the AFL, dies at 76

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Friday Five (the first pride was a riot edition)

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 20:00:05 GMT

Welcome to the fourth Friday of June! Happy Pride Month!

I don't feel like going into all of the reasons this has been a weird week and why I didn't finish this post before falling asleep Thursday night. I'll just say, I'm really glad that I scheduled today for a vacation day.

Anyway, it's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: two stories about the christianist-nazis who have taken over the supreme court, one story about the nazi sympathizers who don't understand why the nazis turne on them, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about queer history and pride, five stories about homophobes/transphobes, and five stories about deplorable people, and one notable obituary.

This Week in We Knew It Was Coming:

Roe v Wade is dead. Ending marriage equality & bringing back sodomy laws are next - In an open invitation to right-wing lawyers looking for their next target, Clarence Thomas says it's time to correct "the errors" that resulted in marriage equality and the end of sodomy laws

Jim Obergefell slams Supreme Court’s threat to overturn same-sex marriage rights after Roe - "If you want to see an error in judgment, Clarence Thomas, look in the mirror," said the lead plaintiff in the case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide

This Week in Shooting Themself in the Foot:

Gay Republicans whine that GOP doesn’t accept them even though they oppose LGBTQ rights too - They hate transgender civil rights just as much as the Party does. So why can't they play in the sandbox too?

Stories of the Week:

Supreme Court gives states green light to ban abortion, overturning Roe - The bombshell 5-4 decision is set to upend races across the country as governors, attorneys general, and other state and local leaders gain new powers to determine when abortion will be permitted

Mary Trump just threw ice cold water on the “Mike Pence is a hero” storyline

A search for solutions as Omicron subvariants BA.4, BA.5 found to escape antibodies - New coronavirus subvariants escape antibodies from vaccination and prior Omicron infection, studies suggest

Is It Last Call for Lauren Boebert’s Gun Restaurant? - The Colorado GOP congresswoman ascended into the political spotlight partially because of her gun-themed restaurant. It may now be closing its doors soon

Giant Bacteria Visible to the Naked Eye Discovered in Mangrove Swamp

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

We’ve had a gay superhero all along thanks to Kevin Conroy

NY library reverses decision to ban LGBTQ children’s books after outcry - After the Governor weighed in and condemned the move, the board quickly held an emergency meeting to overturn their decision

Darren Hayes’ recent Pride post was too gay for Instagram

House Votes to Clarify That LGBTQ+ People, Women Can be President - Dated federal language included the words “wife” and “widow” that assumed a male U.S. president

House Votes to Clarify That LGBTQ+ People, Women Can be President - The Department of Education released the proposal as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration of the landmark civil rights law.

This Week in Pride and Queer History:

Yes, kink belongs at Pride. And I want my kids to see it

The perpetual discourse over LGBTQ Pride, explained - The fights over Pride are really about whether Pride is even political anymore

The First Pride Was a Riot: The Origins of Pride Month

The first pride was a riot - We should honor the trans women of color behind it

Inside the first Pride parade—a raucous protest for gay liberation

This Week in Homophobia, Transphobia, and Other Deplorables:

Trans kids and advocates blame culture war for debate over adolescent health care - Upcoming guidance from the leading professional association for transgender health care perpetuates problematic ideas about transgender youth, some advocates say

BUSTED! Far right caught spreading false story that a drag queen exposed self to children

Texas GOP adopts shockingly explicit anti-LGBTQ party platform - The state party calls homosexuality “an abnormal lifestyle choice" and accuses LGBTQ people of "grooming" children.

Why are white nationalist groups targeting LGBTQ groups? Do you really have to ask?

Right-wing media furious over Biden administration effort to protect LGBTQ students from discrimination

In Memoriam:

PBS NewsHour commentator Mark Shields dies at age 85

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Friday Five (you're not being forced edition)

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 07:26:13 GMT

Welcome to the third Friday of June! Happy Pride Month!

My hay fever has not let up. Whether the weather was rainy, overcast, or sunny this week, the pollen count has remained high.

Anyway, it's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: one story of interest to my fellow nerd, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about queer history and pride, five stories about homophobes/transphobes, and five stories about deplorable people.

This Week in I Will Always Be a Nerd:

‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Redefines Padmé Amidala’s Star Wars Legacy Through Leia

Stories of the Week:

Florida abortion ban violates Jews' religious freedom, lawsuit says

The Jan. 6 select committee makes a criminal referral — its own way - For all the quibbling over whether they should ask DOJ to investigate Donald Trump, panel members effectively did so on Thursday

Triumph Over a Pushy Tesla

13,000-Year-Old Tusk Reveals Life of 'Fred,' a Mastodon Who Died in Battle

Strange tsunami-like quakes shake some of the stars in our galaxy, Gaia spacecraft reveals

Stories of Interest to Queers and Our Allies:

How to get smarter & fight harder for LGBTQ rights

David Archuleta talks of struggle to replace feelings of shame with pride

Joe Biden issues executive order to fight conversion therapy & LGBTQ fostering discrimination

Mass. commission recommends LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum, anti-bullying protections and training

Graduating students hand school president rainbow flags in protest of anti-LGBTQ staff policies - University students at a private Christian college are part of a sit-in outside of the interim president's office that has lasted for three weeks This, by the way, is my alma mater...

This Week in Pride and Queer History:

This fabulous docuseries shows that queer history will not be denied

A League of Their Own Inspiration Maybelle Blair Comes Out at 95

How Pride organizers are responding to increased threats to LGBTQ events

This bank has supported Pride for three decades. Here’s how it happened - The multinational banking giant has been supporting LGBTQ rights since before some of you were born

Pride and the police: A complicated history for the LGBTQ community

This Week in Homophobia and Transphobia:

A New York teen and his family seek state help amid a national tipping point on LGBTQ rights

Diary of a Queer Kid - My experience as a child with an “odd” gender identity makes me very afraid for kids facing malicious transphobia in Texas.

High school students get threatened with machine gun while rallying for bullied trans classmate

Targeting of Pride events follow months of escalating anti-LGBTQ rhetoric from right-wing media

Candace Owens can't even tell a good lie. Far right personality busted using fake photo of 'drag queen'

This Week in Haters, Deplorables, and Seditious Traitors:

Police: 31 members of white nationalist group arrested near Coeur d'Alene pride event

Patriot Front Member’s Mother After His Arrest At Idaho Pride: “Pack Up Your Stuff And Get Out Of My House”

"Death To LGBTQs" Pastor Trounced In US House Bid

Anti-Vax Leader Gets 60 Days On Capitol Riot Charges

Another Proud Boy Pleads Guilty, Agrees To Cooperate - Johnson County Proud Boy is second in Kansas City group to plead guilty in Capitol riot

In Memoriam:

Mama Gloria Allen Dies at 76: Listen to Her Last Known Interview

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Friday Five (they came for an insurrection edition)

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 08:43:15 GMT

Welcome to the second Friday of June! Happy Pride Month!

The rain has returned. Maybe my hay fever will let up.

Anyway, it's time for the Friday Five in which I bring you: two stories about the investigation into treason, one story about lying liars, two stories about the failing court, the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about queer history and pride, and five stories about haters and traitors. Plus an obituary.