There’s been so much going on lately that choosing just one disaster to shoot my mouth off about felt unfair to the others.

Let’s start with something special.

In an era where excellence is replaced with participation trophies, it was refreshing to see actual dominance. The U.S. women’s hockey team won gold in commanding fashion, defeating Canada in Milan and finishing 7-0, outscoring opponents 33-2.

Not to be outdone, the men brought home gold as well — again beating Canada in overtime, exactly 46 years after Lake Placid. Like a brick wall, goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 43 of 44 shots, several of them spectacular.

That’s how you win.

Jesse Jackson passed away. His family requested that he lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, a request House Speaker Mike Johnson denied, citing precedent. Precedent? Please! In my opinion, the self-proclaimed “civil rights leader” and full-time shakedown artist does not belong anywhere near the Rotunda. Perhaps Budweiser will offer its lobby instead, given what seemed to be a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

I wonder how New Yorker’s are enjoying their “free stuff” under new mayor Zohran Mamdani? He has proposed a 9.5% property tax increase.

Mamdani talks about “free” services as if the word balances the books. Cities don’t fail because they’re heartless;  they fail because they promise more than they can fund. Property taxes rise, while businesses adjust and residents relocate.

When your tax base starts packing U-Hauls, it’s no longer philosophy. It’s arithmetic. Just ask Illinois governor JB Pritzker.

Who couldn’t see this coming?

The Obama Presidential Library is leaving taxpayers on the hook for hundreds of millions in hidden infrastructure costs, and no one can provide a straight answer on the total burden. In 2018, Barack Obama promised the library would be a gift to Chicago.

Like most political gifts, the recipient ends up paying for it.

“You in trouble!”

Bill Gates, Prince Andrew, and Bill Clinton are discovering that the Epstein scandal has a long shelf life. Andrew’s fall from royal grace is well documented. Gates has apologized for what he calls a lapse in judgment.

And Bill Clinton still insists he knew nothing. Sure, Bill.

It turns out Epstein’s greatest talent wasn’t money management, it was exposing how fragile powerful reputations can be.

Now, because I’m from Chebanse, I’m going to touch the third rail.

Over the past several years, a handful of mass killers have identified as transgender. That fact alone now triggers panic, not because of the crime, but because of how we’re supposed to talk about it.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: mass violence doesn’t belong to any one identity group. But when we obsess over which group “owns” the latest tragedy, we avoid confronting the one thing that keeps showing up — untreated mental illness.

For two decades, government has steadily gutted the mental health system — closing facilities, cutting beds, trimming services — while pretending the problem would solve itself.

That failure has made this country less safe. If we can’t discuss both honestly, we’re not serious about solving anything.

For two decades the government has steadily gutted the mental health system — closing facilities, cutting beds, trimming services — while pretending the problem would somehow solve itself. That malfeasance has made this country more unsafe. We see the consequences in public disorder, chronic homelessness, and tragedies that never should have happened.

If we can’t discuss both honestly, then we’re not serious about solving anything, and the carnage will continue.

Oprah Winfrey presents herself as deeply concerned about the environment, bless her little heart. She has spoken about eliminating plastic bottles and  paper towels. She even claims to be reflecting on her personal impact.

Meanwhile, she travels the globe by private jet — one of the most fuel-intensive ways to travel. Perhaps that deserves a little reflection, O.

To be fair, I’d use one too if I could afford it. The difference is, you’ll never hear me lecturing anyone about carbon footprints.

Finally, for Chicago Bears fans — how does the Indiana Bears sound? Or perhaps the Gary Bears?

Management is exploring a new stadium, ideally funded by someone not named McCaskey. Indiana lawmakers are rolling out the red carpet.

The Gary Bears does have a nice ring to it.

Losing one of the NFL’s most storied franchises would be an embarrassment to Governor Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson — assuming either still recognizes embarrassment as a governing principle.

Excellence wins gold.

Incompetence sends the bill.

That’s enough for one week.