Sound Off: July 16, 2026

Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

History

I don’t understand why anyone would have a problem with Ben Crump assisting a grieving family. You have to at least consider Mississippi’s history and how it relates to the tragic death of Nolan Wells. It simply can’t be ignored.

It’s 2026

I realize that Mississippi, and the South, has a terrible history when it comes to race relations. However, it is 2026. Our local leaders have shown nothing but care and compassion for Nolan Wells’ family and friends. No one, to my knowledge, has said or done anything to suggest they aren’t doing their absolute best to do right by Nolan.

The law

The law states that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty. How do you know something nefarious happen to Nolan Wells? You don’t have an autopsy report or the conclusion of any investigation. But I do know that the currents in and around Horn Island are unpredictable and tricky, and I do know where and how the poor young man was found, even from above.

Wells’ death

I hate the fact that Black people have been wrongly accused of crimes forever because of the color of their skin. What is equally wrong is having a Black lawyer and pastor come here and immediately start with thinly veiled statements that the white friends must have something to do with the death of Nolan Wells, and that investigators must be incompetent and prejudiced because this is Mississippi, after all. Why do Ben Crump, Al Sharpton and the know-it-alls on social media not understand that they are practicing racism? I am impressed by the grieving family, who have handled themselves with dignity and grace in their search for answers. I just wish everyone else would, too. May the truth come out, whatever it really is.

Third party

The Democratic Party has been taken over by socialist and communists. So the Democratic leadership, instead of fighting to maintain the Democratic Party, has joined the extreme left and becone one of them. Socialists and communists cannot make it alone as a third party, and the Democrats cannot gain power without the far-left liberals. What a mess. Newsom, Harris, and other party liberals have surrendered to the AOC, Sanders and Mandami wing of the party.

Ridiculous

Todd Blanche is probably the worst sycophant and worst candidate for attorney general we have ever seen. So let’s question him on Capitol Hill, watch him skirt, deflect and lie and make himself look terrible, and then confirm him as fast as possible because President Trump has spoken.

No rights?

ICE doesn’t have to wear body cameras when doing traffic stops. That’s a blatant disregard for a person’s civil rights. They are just thugs with no accountability.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.