Sound Off: April 20, 2026

Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

Strait of Hormuz

I’m confused about the current status of the Strait of Hormuz. Is it open, closed, partially open, or something else entirely? It honestly feels like the answer depends on who you ask, and I’m left scratching my head trying to figure out what’s really going on. On a lighter note, maybe we should just hire MDOT to scatter thousands of orange cones — or better yet, buoys — all over the place, leaving them there indefinitely, just for good measure. And of course, DMR Marine Patrol could be in charge of enforcing whatever rules we come up with. If all else fails, we could take a page from the Jimmy Carter / Panama Canal playbook ... just give it back and hope for the best. If you have any clever ideas or jokes about the situation, please share — I could use a laugh.

Iran

If there is one thing Iran has proven, it is that it can’t be trusted. At this point, I’m all on board with President Trump doing as he sees fit.

Deep State

Sadly some can’t see the forest for the trees. President Trump is the spokesperson of the billionaires behind every decision made. He has removed consumer protections, cut inspector generals, downsized the IRS to make it more difficult to audit offshore and shell companies, fired FBI agents and federal judges who investigate them, bought TV media to control what you see and hear, and removed regulations and changed laws to benefit the true Deep State which is Trump and his billionaire accomplices.

Bad road

When is it that Gulfport decides that Perry Street from Courthouse Road to Loposser Avenue, directly in front of the high school, is a disaster and needs to be a priority for repaving? It was never fixed properly after the infrastructure work was completed years ago and the patch job is sinking and a humpy, bumpy mess, but at least we do have some desperately needed very pretty brick crosswalks at the west end of the road. The kids are almost out of school, so fix it already.

Scientists

The bizarre situation of these missing (or dead) scientists, all with high level security clearances, suddenly disappearing without trace or reason makes one wonder. Perhaps they have been entranced to find John Galt. Maybe they all plan to reconnect and restart what they see as a dystopian society into a better form. Maybe you find Galt, you find them.

Democrats

Of late, the Democrats are electing socialists, Islamists and anti-semites. Whatever is happening, it’s not good for America.

Sec. Hegseth

Hegseth will always be a FOX News entertainer and not a serious leader of our Department of War.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.