Sound Off: May 1, 2026

Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

Trump passport

Nothing says “strong republic” quite like flipping through your passport and getting a surprise cameo from Donald Trump between the bald eagle and the Declaration of Independence. Because when I think “international travel document,” I obviously think “limited-edition collectible with political branding.” Can’t wait for TSA to start offering matching commemorative boarding passes and a loyalty program: fly three times, get a fourth president free. At this rate, the U.S. Department of State might as well lean all the way in—scratch-and-sniff pages, holograms, maybe a QR code that links to a campaign rally. Nothing reassures foreign border agents like a passport that doubles as a souvenir program.

Meaning of 86

Our president described hearing the term “86” was used by mobsters, meaning to kill someone. I googled “Origin of 86” and could not find any mention of use by mobsters. James Comey has been indicted for forwarding an image of shells in the sand, saying “86 47.“ The DOJ no longer represents the U.S., but instead has become politicized by our president.

What it means

Last fall I told my yard man to “86” a wayward branch on my Bradford pear tree. I am not now, nor have I ever been a mob boss.

Comey

Sure are a lot of Democrats worked up about the arrest of James Comey. If a grand jury saw fit to hand down an indictment, then so be it. That’s the way the law is supposed to work.

Not such a bad idea

President Trump’s ballroom doesn’t seem like such a bad idea now, does it?

Complaints

Do Democrats have anything better to do than complain about everything President Trump tries to do?

What a mess

Let me see if I get this right. President Trump tears up the nuclear treaty with Iran that was mostly working, but he does not bother to create a treaty that would work better. Then years later, he does not like what Iran is doing so he has now spent more than $25 billion attacking it, which is now creating global economic pain, not just here at our gas pumps. And there is little hope he can get us out of the mess he has created.

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