Life’s a peach with freedom of speech

How clever Lindsay Ayers (It’s called freedom of speech, Courier, October 30) is for catching me out and describing me “to a T” ( pun intended).
For I doth attest to my ‘narrow mindedness’ for am I but a simple village lad – whom being the unfortunate recipient of a ‘sheltered culinary upbringing’ – has survived all this time on a diet consisting of naught but bread and drippings.
I cannot for the life of me differentiate between a parsnip and a pomegranate and I hold all those ‘open minded’ persons whom are able to do so in the highest esteem.
My ‘little rant’ along with its ‘comical dissection’ was indeed meant to be taken with ‘pinch of salt’ (preferably Maldon) and not for a moment was my intention to foist upon the readership of this fine publication another 2 000 word magnum opus like that of the initial letter.
However in closing, this ‘narrow-minded’ fellow would very much like to offer you a snippet of advice; advice that I urge you to heed:
When attempting to put forth an argument – an argument that in the name of ‘free speech’ one is fully entitled to do – it’s best to refrain from drawing upon one’s own ‘conclusions’ as to the other party’s personality, character or upbringing.
For in doing so one does not strengthen nor add to one’s position but merely underlines one’s ignorance in that regard.
TERENCE “T” MITCHELL
Ballito