Something REALLY Stinks

The stench from a president and the U.S. men's hockey team

Whew! Almost.

Sam, our dog, was nearly skunked this morning. I let her out before breakfast, before heading to the shed, and as I am pouring her food, I hear a sharp bark. Out the window, there it is, a big, and I mean BIG skunk in the yard. We've had skunks in the neighborhood for years, but this one was built like a St. Bernard.

It waddled away without spraying. Sam escaped.

I think of this now because I smell another skunk. It's coming from Milan. It's coming from the White House. It's an epic spray from privileged bros and a culture of cluelessness.

I watched a bit of the Olympics this year. Much of it was inspiring, interesting, sometimes heartwarming and heartbreaking. Exactly what the Olympic Games have traditionally been about. But this year, something rank and foul emanated from Italy. There was a skunk in the rink. In fact, an entire team of them.

The men's U.S. hockey team should be ashamed.

I think you know the story by now . . .

The invite to the White House, Trump's phone call, Kash Patel's frat boy appearance, and the laughs directed at the U.S. women's hockey team, the sarcastic statement from Trump about having to “bring the women’s team”—gold medal winners themselves—delivered to a room full of “men” who thought it was all so funny. The stench of everything wrong with a culture and a nation. Trump fuels the worst of us and he is inspiring the worst in men. We expect this from Trump; the bigger problem is that nearly everyone in that locker room laughed.

Oh, they're just boys being boys. It’s just locker room talk. Oh, it's all in fun. Oh, it's the Olympics and "yay!” USA. That's all fine, I guess, if you want to look the other way and add your name to the list of reasons why women hate men. Let’s be clear—this is not about being "woke" in what some see as a negative light. No, this is about total classlessness.

Grow up, boys, it's 2026.

So, when the skunks come around, hold your nose, encourage the dogs to bark and bark loudly. Change comes by shining a light, by alerting the entire neighborhood that the skunks are loose and are roaming the streets.

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David W. Berner is the author of several books of award-winning fiction and memoir. His latest poetry collection, Garden Tools is available now from Finishing Line Press. His novella, American Moon will be published by Regal House Publishing in September, 2026 and is currently available for pre-order.