TO THE EDITOR: I am writing in regards to Kip Burke's article in the July 2, 2009, issue of The News-Reporter entitled "Intolerance of Southern accents seems to be the last acceptable prejudice for some folks."

Whether Mr. Burke succeeded in advancing the cause of "rural Southern diversity" is debatable. Unfortunately it is irrefutable that he dealt a huge blow to the concept of Southern hospitality.

MARIAN THORPE