I suppose it was inevitable that I would eventually run afoul of Twitter’s kommissars.
When I tried to log in to my account a few days ago, I received a notification that I was suspended for 12 hours due to violating Twitter’s terms of service. Specifically, I had allegedly violated Twitter’s rules against “abuse and harassment.”
I can be very blunt, but “abuse and harassment” didn’t sound like me. Nor did it ring any bells as far as a recent Twitter argument or the like. Thus, my initial reaction was confusion over what I might have done to trigger a suspension.
Helpfully, Twitter provides the offending tweet, which was simply two words: “Bury them,” in response to a tweet from Jesse Kelly. Just as helpfully, Twitter offers you the option of admitting your “guilt” to expedite getting your account back.
I refused.
Since the tweet itself is now “removed,” I can’t even be sure what my response referenced. It was almost certainly a supportive tweet about fighting back against people who want to push sexual content on kids. Instead of saying, “Go get ‘em,” or “give ‘em hell,” I said “bury them.”
Now, anyone with a functioning brain can probably figure out that this is meant metaphorically. I’m quite obviously referring to “burying” these opponents in the political arena.
As such, I appealed the decision. I got a response a few hours later, saying my appeal had been denied. Now, though, the 12-hour suspension was apparently indefinite. So, I appealed again.
In both instances, I noted that the phrase is metaphorical and obviously not abuse or harassment. Here’s a question: whom am I harassing? I sent one tweet, which was supportive, to Jesse Kelly. Is this “harassment” of a hypothetical political foe? Am I “inciting” Jesse Kelly to commit violence against someone?
This is facially ludicrous.
Eventually, it is likely that Twitter will simply say that I either have to admit guilt, delete the tweet, or else never regain control of my account. And, being somewhat lazy, I will likely concede at some point.
For now, I will simply point out that a quick search of Twitter reveals that “bury them” can be used with impunity when talking about any number of groups or individuals, ranging from “Rhianna stans” to opposing counsel to, uh, “the Illuminati.”
The point being that there is very little doubt that this phrase is used all the time with no problems or sanctions.
Interestingly, Twitter will also not punish people who use “bury them” literally . . . so long as they’re talking about killing and burying Russian troops.
But Twitter likes those politics. On the other hand, cheering on anti-communist firebrand Jesse Kelly must be treated with the utmost seriousness. Can’t take any chances on my “incitement!”
Absurd.
Hey, Twitter—go bury yourself.
Metaphorically, of course.
The Elon Musk Era can’t get here fast enough.