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Kelly Clarkson's support for Ron Paul sets off Twitter firestorm
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Kelly Clarkson may decide to keep her political views to herself from now on after a tweet in support of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul angered many of her Twitter followers."I love Ron Paul. I liked him a lot during the last republican nomination and no one gave him a chance," the "American Idol" winner tweeted on Wednesday (Dec. 28). "If he wins the nomination for the Republican party in 2012 he's got my vote. Too bad he probably won't."
This, according to the Washington Post, set off a barrage of angry tweets with some followers calling Clarkson "stupid" and accusing her of supporting racism and the death penalty, but not equal rights for same-sex couples.
"I am really sorry if I have offended anyone. Obviously that was not my intent," Clarkson tweeted later. "I do not support racism. I support gay rights, straight rights, women's rights, men's rights, white/black/purple/orange rights. I like Ron Paul because he believes in less government and letting the people (all of us) make the decisions and mold our country. That is all. Out of all of the Republican nominees, he's my favorite."
But for Clarkson, the experience was a lesson in the often fickle mob rules that govern Twitter. In a series of tweets, she wrote:
"Man my eyes have been opened to so much hate tonight. If y'all ever disagree with something I say please don't feel the need to attack me. I will listen to what you say and any articles or viewpoints you have when you say it with respect. Being hateful is not a healthy way to get people to see or hear you. I was raised to respect people and their decisions and beliefs and I hope you will grant me the same decency. If you don't agree with me simply unfollow me. It's really that easy. I hope you don't because I would love the chance to hear what you have to say but if you're so blinded by hate you can't seek peace and progress then that is your unfortunate prerogative."
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