How about this: Ignore Twitter

Re “How Elon Musk’s plans for Twitter could threaten free speech,” Opinion, Oct. 27

With Elon Musk finally in control of Twitter and promising to remove certain controls on what users can post on the platform, I dare all news outlets to ignore tweets of any kind.

Rather, turn to the oldfashioned saying relayed to me by my Republican mother: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” My Republican aunt also told me, “Action speaks louder than words.”

Beware, a self-proclaimed “chief twit” will be at the helm of a ship called Twitter. Heed my Republican beloveds’ words about sticks, stones, actions and words.

Ignore the twits and the tweets, if you dare.

Sarah Turitto

Cardiff, Calif.

In a 2021 letter I had published in The Times, I argued that defining limits to free speech in an era dominated by social media “is a thorny issue and needs to be confronted before those who wish to protect free speech are silenced by those they seek to protect.”

Suzanne Nossel has identified what that thorny issue is and has warned us of what its potential consequences can be. I believe that allowing no constraints on speech on social media platforms is akin to allowing someone to yell “fire” in a crowded theater when there is none.

I hope Musk brings common sense to the table and does not, as Nossel writes, “create open season for disinformation.”

John Beckman

Chino Hills