When Will the Bird Really Be Free?

Twitter suspends Scott Ritter yet again.

In last week’s episode of Ask the Inspector, I objected when Scott Ritter criticized Elon Musk more harshly than I felt the new Twitter owner deserves. On the other hand, I lauded Scott’s basic strategy, which is to aggressively demand immediate reinstatement rather than docilely waiting and hoping. It’s just that when Elon said he needed some time to figure out whose accounts should be restored, it seemed reasonable.

Elon Musk @elonmusk

Twitter will be forming a content moderation council with widely diverse viewpoints. No major content decisions or account reinstatements will happen before that council convenes.

His failure to commit to a specific date was annoying and worrisome, but I was at first willing to cut Elon some slack. Now that he has reinstated Dr. Stella Immanuel’s account, however, forcing Scott to endure a prolonged vetting process won’t wash.

Dr. Stella Immanuel @drstellamdoffc

Thank you so much @elonmusk I’m back on twitter. It’s time for medical truth to get back to the village square discussion again. Follow me.

It’s now clear Elon needs to be made aware that Scott’s massive worldwide audience isn’t going to tolerate the inexplicable shunning any longer. I still say there’s no need to be hostile toward a potentially important ally. But I’m hoping that so many of Scott’s supporters tweet at Elon as I did Monday night, he simply won’t be able to avoid making a decision, and making the right one.

Jeff Norman @citizenjeff

@elonmusk When is Scott Ritter's ban going to be lifted? He's providing world-class analysis about the most important issue we currently face. Therefore, I think you should make it a priority. Moreover, it's obvious he did nothing to warrant punishment.

scottritterextra.comScott Ritter Extra | Jeff Norman | SubstackFeaturing episodes of Ask the Inspector and related content. Click to read Scott Ritter Extra, a Substack publication with thousands of readers.

Dr. Immanuel should not have had her account suspended, and I’m glad she’s back on Twitter. However, a physician is entitled to no more free speech protection than a geopolitical/military affairs expert who opines on matters of war and peace. Elon has himself generated controversy by provocatively addressing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a clear sign that such commentary is hardly a punishable offense. Yet Scott Ritter is being punished for exactly the same thing. As he explained in his most recent Substack post, Scott’s supposedly unforgivable sin was to tweet this assessment: “The Ukrainian National Police committed numerous crimes against humanity in Bucha.”

Let’s give Elon Musk a chance to say it’s permissible to express such opinions on Twitter. Let’s give him no chance at all to continue avoiding the issue. Tell the Chief Twit he should reinstate Scott’s account immediately.