Orlando Jones Uses “Artistic Expression” to Defend Twitter Comment

If you thought the internet was a safe place to say whatever crept into your mind no matter how provocative, think again. That is if you are a celebrity anyways. What happens online could play a huge role in the likeable factor.

Comedian and actor Orlando Jones came back into the public eye this past weekend after a Twitter comment gone wild, it would seem. Jones has appeared in films like Evolution, Drumline, and The Replacements but his newest piece is a little edgy and attracting a lot of negative attention towards himself. Ok, it’s not Jones’ new indie film The Chicago 8 but his uncensored Twitter account.

On Saturday Jones felt compelled to express himself through the social network about the former Alaska Governer Sarah Palin. He wrote,” ”Libyan Rebels kill Gaddafi, if American liberals want respect they better stop  listening to Aretha & kill Sarah Palin(:.” The tweet did not go unnoticed.

Palin followers were obviously not happy in the slightest with that comment. Jones responded in a respectable fashion- that is unless you count the mocking smiley face. He said responding to a follower after their remark of Jones’ violent words, ”Actually, I don’t think it’s just a joke is an apropo response. If my tweets  are so upsetting to you please do not read them(:.”

NewsBusters writer Noel Sheppard wrote, “Despite liberal calls for civility after the shootings in Tucson this past January, one imagines Jones getting even better roles for this attack on the Left’s favorite target. It certainly won’t hurt.”

The 43-year- old actor won’t be apologizing for what he calls an “inane” tweet in the near future. And after looking at all the comments he recieved in the past couple days, he released a statement on Facebook.

“My job as an artist is to hold up a mirror to society. I do not decide how people feel or react to that. My tweet hit a nerve. That’s good. The fact that is has taken precedent over the serious issues that face us is not good. Any anger directed at me and my right to free speech is an absolute waste of time. I am not a statesman. My comments reflect no political affiliation. It’s just me being me, in a world that will never comfortably mix political correctness with artistic expression. For that, I offer no apologies, excuses or wisdom.”

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