TFP must improve obituary services
Despite my willingness to pay its fee of 50 cents per word after the first 50 words, the Times Free Press failed to print Mary Stella Ridings Smalling's obituary on the day of visitation and the day of the funeral.
On the day after her funeral, the Times Free Press published my mother's obituary.
Every time my mother's friends tell me that they didn't know of her death until after her funeral, I recall the frustration and anger I felt during visitation on the evening before her funeral when I realized the Times Free Press had not printed her obituary.
The newspaper should have at least three people trained to run the obituary department at a moment's notice. It is my understanding that obituary publication problems have occurred over several weeks, for which there is no excuse.
Incompetent management must accept blame, not someone in the obituary department trying to do his or her best.
Steve Smalling, Jasper, Tenn.
***
One deplorable for less government
Now, I am deplorable. I never thought of myself as deplorable, but if Hillary says I am, I must be. I am not sure if I have any of the "isms" Hillary accuses me of having, but I will admit to one phobia and that is of tyranny.
I am afraid of the IRS discriminating against certain groups without consequence. I am afraid of a Justice Department too corrupt or incompetent to determine who was responsible for the "Fast and Furious" project. I am afraid of someone who earns $25 million giving speeches about income inequality.
I am afraid of a leader who neglects the pleas from a consulate for security, then lies to the public about the results. I am afraid of progress when that progress leads to government control over our daily lives.
I believe real progress occurs when a population needs less government control and not more government control. But then I am just deplorable.
Tony Stamp, Dunlap, Tenn.
***
Trump presidency would be a lesson
The nativist Trumpistas have squealed and squalled about Obama being a Communist dictator riding roughshod over the Constitution for eight years. Now they embrace a candidate who admires and seems to want to emulate an actual Soviet-style dictator.
The main distinction between Trump and what they accuse Obama of being is skin color. It is not a president but a grand wizard that is wanted.
But I am sanguine about the Trump-Putin ticket. I believe in the value of education and should Trump-Putin prevail, it is what we want and will undoubtedly teach us a valuable lesson.
The Germans learned much from traveling a similar path, and they are now one of the most admirable and functional of societies. It was an expensive lesson but, as any debt-smothered recent grad can tell you, education does not come cheap.
Frank White
***
No boot lickers; vote for Trump
Trump is the best choice. He is thinking in the same direction most people are, especially on immigration.
We don't need more illegal people here. Let's take care of our own first.
Mrs. Clinton is like her husband. If she gets elected, she will nominate Supreme Court judges who believe like her. We have enough weirdos in there now.
Christians and non-Christians know this LGBT law they passed is to promote homosexuality, which we know is wrong. They have way too much power now.
Clinton is a boot licker. I'm voting for Trump.
Kenny Feagans, Signal Mountain