Very true.

There is a good reason that politicians and thought leaders (famous people, generally) are not afforded quite the same degree of protection against libel that most of us are. But they are entitled to some, and I wish more of them would press for it when knowing lies are spread about them. Because with free speech - which is primarily protected to keep us from being thrown in jail when we question or criticize our government - there is also responsibility to behave like adults. Not to use it as a weapon. Not to spread lies and idle gossip.