BEING POLITICALLY INCORRECT A RISK WE SHOULD TAKE

After reading Kao Kalia Yang's commentary about a Hmong parody broadcast on a radio morning show ("KDWB shows disrespect for minorities," April 5), I had to wonder when we ceded to the most sensitive and thin-skinned among us the right to set the limits on public discourse.

In a society whose goals are increasingly to take no risks and give no offense, I would assert that bad jokes, bad parody and bad satire are risks we have to take in order to enjoy a good laugh now and then -- and we need some humor these days.

When someone misses the mark on occasion, particularly where there is no evidence of malice aforethought, we don't need to immediately administer capital punishment.

As a senior citizen, I am a member of a minority group subject to more jokes, parody and satire than any other segment of society (except maybe the Timberwolves) -- and a good bit of the humor is less than kind.

Nevertheless, I resist the temptation to call upon KDWB to take diversity lessons from Betty White, hire some Medicare-eligible personalities, play a Lawrence Welk marathon from time to time, and include grab bars and mobility scooters in its prize packages.

Long live "South Park."

JOHN KIRBY, CHISAGO CITY, MINN.