Palin Defends Use of 'Blood Libel' Following AZ Shooting, Criticizes Media

In her first interview following the horrific shooting in Arizona, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke to Fox News' Sean Hannity who asked her to explain her "blood libel" comments following the shooting and her political action committee's use of "crosshairs" to target congressional districts during the 2010 midterm elections.

Palin said the use of the "crosshairs" map was nothing new, noting that both parties have used similar rhetoric in the past. But in no way was her map related to the mentally imbalanced alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner.

Defending the release of her video message following slanderous attacks against her, Palin said the criticism of her statement was being used as "another diversion" to draw the public's attention away from important issues that need to be addressed.

Finally, Palin condemned the knee-jerk reactions of the "lamestream media" who sought to connect her to the shooting incident in Arizona.