SIR — I applaud the letters (Free Press July 1) supporting Stephen Parnell, who has been deprived of his livelihood for making so-called 'racist' jokes. Are we now forbidden to laugh at ourselves? For donkeys years we have laughed at the Scots being mean, the Irish being a bit thick etc, but most importantly they have laughed with us. It now seems even simple abbreviations are considered to be an insult. But then I suppose if you are determined to be insulted, then you will be. As for the person who scuttled back to his superior with this nonsense, I have nothing but contempt. What is this country coming to? And to think I was daft enough to fight for it. D E Raven, Park Lane Close, Carhampton.