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

Sound Off

Sound Off: February 15, 2026

A Mississippi Real ID
A Mississippi Real ID Courtesy of the Mississippi Driver Service Bureau

Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

Voter ID

The only way to have legitimate elections, that are safe and trustworthy, is to have Voter ID. Obviously, we must have an ID to function in this world of travel, purchasing certain goods and most public services. How do people on governmental assistance obtain these services without some form of identification and personal financial information? It’s not even debatable.

Missing real music

I don’t have a problem with Bad Bunny or any of the last few years of Super Bowl “entertainment.” Whatever floats your boat is OK with me, but my mind is boggled seeing what passes for “music” these days. Back in the day (yes, I’m older) we were in awe of people called musicians who played things called instruments, with no lip syncing, auto tune, pitch correction, backing tracks or earpieces keeping time. The drummers did that expertly, and we had no need for dozens of “dancers” twerking in our faces to be entertained. In case you missed it, do yourself a favor and watch some video of the Eagles, Chicago, Stevie Ray Vaughan or Lynyrd Skynyrd live, singing and playing at the same time, and killing it. Sadly, true talent like that is practically non-existent today.

Science

I am almost finished reading the biography of Mark Twain by Ron Chernow and am deeply struck by how many health problems the Twain family endured during their lifetimes. Often the treatments offered by physicians of the time were draconian, and these people, as well as many, many others I am sure, suffered a great deal. Fast forward to modern times when we have treatment for those ailments and people are routinely cured by medications prescribed by their doctors. Yet, this country has a large amount of MAGA supporters that are suspicious of modern medicine and refuse to seek treatments or preventive vaccinations. Scientists have, for decades now, worked diligently to make our lives easier, yet people dare to be ungrateful to science. How stupid can a population be?

Epstein accountability

King Charles will support police as they assess his brother’s ties to Epstein. The British PM, who never met Epstein, coud possibly lose his job because he picked an ambassador to the U.S. who was in cahoots with Epstein. The British are more dutiful and honest in their Epstein accountability than we are in the United States.

Trump and Epstein

U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz offered a note worth recognizing: “Trump’s name appears more times in the Epstein files than God’s name appears in the book about God.”

Incredible 180

It truly amazes me how many Republicans were frothing at the mouth over Pizzagate and the idea that the Clintons and Democrats were doing all kinds of awful things to children. Now that the proverbial shoe is on the other foot, it seems they’re no longer concerned.

A true patriot

May history long remember U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie and the few Republicans who had the backbone to stand up for what is right and decent, regardless the political cost.

Shameful

I have seen more shameful and despicable things in my life than I care to admit, but Pam Bondi’s performance before the Epstein Congressional committee sure sits near the top of the list.

Why now?

I can’t help but wonder why, all of a sudden, the Democrats are so concerned about the Epstein affair. They had a full four years of President Biden and Democratic leadership to show even the slightest semblance of caring.

No FEMA

Hone insurance has gone up drastically. I guess this is the answer to no FEMA. You can’t get a mortgage unless you have insurance, so we are screwed.

We found the voter fraud

House Republicans secretly shared their voting cards with each other to vote when they were not present in the House, committing real life voter fraud in Congress. Byron Donalds was caught “voting” while he was on TV in California, and did not deny it.

Smokin’

Thanks to President Trump’s EPA deregulation of greenhouse gases, you can soon enjoy the stinking smokestacks of decades ago, and the grand aroma of smoking car exhaust. Big oil and automakers will enjoy the smell of money as it changes hands, and efforts to end clean energy electric automobiles.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.

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