Shirley Sherrod deserves high praise for speaking with such fairness and empathy about Andrew Breitbart's unexpected death on Thursday. "The news of Mr. Breitbart’s death came as a surprise to me when I was informed of it this morning," Sherrod said in a statement. "My prayers go out to Mr. Breitbart’s family as they cope during this very difficult time. I do not intend to make any further comments."

It's a simple gesture to offer condolences after someone's death, but it's a classy one, especially when that person released a video that ruined your career. Less than two years, Sherrod was forced to resign from her post as Georgia State Director of Rural Development for the United States Department of Agriculture, after Breitbart posted a selectively edited video to his blog that made her look like a racist. Sherrod resigned in July 2010, and a year later, sued Breitbart for defamation, a suit that has yet to be settled. It remains to be seen if she'll continue to pursue damages. But for now, we're impressed with Sherrod's kindness towards her one-time antagonist. Washington could use more people like her.

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Adam Clark Estes