Ex-USDA Director Shirley Sherrod's Defamation Case Against Conservative Blogger Andrew Breitbart Begins

The defamation case brought by former USDA director Shirley Sherrod against conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart began Tuesday with the blogger's lawyers asking a federal court to throw out the case. You will recall Mrs. Sherrod was dumped by the USDA after Breitbart posted an edited video of her making so-called racist remarks. But it was later proven that her comments were taken out of context and her speech was about racial reconciliation. Sherrod is suing Breitbart for defamation and emotional distress. Breitbart's lawyers and the other defendants argued that Sherrod's case is an attempt to "dampen free speech" and should be dismissed. So, it's okay to defame a person's character in the name of free speech?