Sound Off: April 30, 2025

Fofo tried

A recent Sound Off asked why cities can’t invest in providing shelters for the homeless. Several years ago, Mayor FoFo Gillich of Biloxi recommended converting an abandoned school into a homeless shelter. The school was in relatively good condition and not located in a densely populated area. What a great idea! The city council denied his recommendation and demolished the school. Shame on them. Thanks for trying Mayor Gillich.

Blame Canada?

Mid-eighties in April? Where’s a cool front when you need one? I wonder if the Canadians have stopped exporting cool air in response to the tariffs?

FEMA

As we approach hurricane season, Mississippians are wringing their hands and crying out because President Trump has cut back on FEMA generosity, but that’s because he thinks states should take more care of themselves. After all, what is FEMA? It is a federal agency that takes money from rich states like California and gives it to poor states like Mississippi. Of course rich states suffer natural disasters too. Money shouldn’t be taken from poor states to help them. That’s not fair. No self-respecting conservative should approve of that.

Nothing to gain

President Trump is refusing FEMA aid to Arkansas, where the governor is one of his loyal followers. Trump says states should do more to help themselves. Cutting our services before an alternative is in place is just plain neglect. I guess these red states with little resources are not “profitable” enough to warrant Trump’s attention.

We’re in trouble

If ruby-red Arkansas can’t get any support from the Trump administration, I don’t know why anyone would think Mississippi would hear anything different. We better get to building some big ol’ fans before hurricane season.

We can’t afford it

What, exactly, will we be expected to cover in the event we are struck by a strong hurricane this year? Everything? Because, while I’m not an expert, I’m pretty sure our state can’t afford it.

Bridges crumbling

What happened to the Stimulus money that was sent to us? Our bridges and roads are crumbling.

Due process

You say Laken Riley. I say Ahmaud Arbery. To me, crime committed by American citizens is far worse. A death is a tragedy. If it would have been a white frat boy who murdered Laken, they would all be saying she asked for it and wouldn’t want his life to be ruined.

Finally?

About time. The decades-old Woolmarket circle project seems to be in the final stages with paving beginning. I still remain skeptical, though.

Mississippi River

The Sound Off explaining the Mississippi River and the manipulation of the flow was spot on. Let the oldest, biggest and longest river in America make its own way. Thank you.

A different solution

Why doesn’t the Corps divert the Mississippi River water through the Atchafalaya basin? Louisiana water through Louisiana, with very little harm.

Tariffs

If tariffs are so bad, why do 170 countries have tariffs on U.S. products?

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.