Ummm, that was my point when I wrote: The truth is an absolute defense.
You can't libel or slander someone with their own statements, especially if their own statements are presented as a recording. The claimant would have to prove that the video was fabricated, and that she didn't say those words.
Sherrod has already acknowledged that the image and voice on the video is hers. Her only claim is that you didn't get the opportunity to hear the rest of the story.
If she were able to win damages for being quoted out of context, every newspaper and news network should be scared out of their minds -- the precedent would be set for some major awards. It would be a whole new cottage industry for lawyers that used to chase ambulances.
O’Reilly is supposed to come out with some stuff on this new secular saint on his program tonight — I hope he isn’t just blowing smoke out of his fair-and-balanced (never mind).