Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Sound Off

Sound Off: July 25, 2025

By Sun Herald
Columbia University will pay a $200 million fine to settle allegations from the Trump administration that it failed to do enough to stop the harassment of Jewish students, part of a sweeping deal reached on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, to restore the university’s federal research funding, according to a statement from the university.
Columbia University will pay a $200 million fine to settle allegations from the Trump administration that it failed to do enough to stop the harassment of Jewish students, part of a sweeping deal reached on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, to restore the university’s federal research funding, according to a statement from the university. Hiroko Masuike The New York Times

Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

Columbia

The Trump administration has settled with Columbia University. The school will pay the $221 million over a 3 year period. Antisemitism will not be tolerated.

Power of pardon

I believe that presidents and governors should not have the power of pardon. If a duly selected judge and jury have convicted someone, that should be final unless new evidence emerges, and if it does then a new trial is in order--not an edict from above by a president or governor. The president or governor does not know more, or as much, about that situation than the judge and jury. Such a power is obviously subject to personal preferences and abuse. I say get rid of it.

Left-lane driving

It is necessary for me to drive in the left lane between the bridges on Cowan/Lorraine Road because, no matter how long my blinker is on, no one will allow me to merge from the right lane to the left. When traveling north I must turn left to enter the road on which I live.

Colbert

Steven Colbert is showing America what a “classy” person he is.

Woke

What is woke? From what i have gathered it seems to mean any one who tends to have empathy to people different from them selves. Or anyone who disagrees from the right wings position on any issue.What is happening to us?

MAGA

Make America great again, not the Confederacy.

Authoritarianism

Trump supporters, please remember that in September 2023, this President had advocated charging Gen. Mark Milley with treason and reminded us at the same time that the sentence for treason is death. Then, or now, is not the time for the ultimate troll to be yanking our chains in some sick sense of humor. And if it’s not humor, but his real thoughts, then be very concerned.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.

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