"All dog owners are part of a secret cabal that eats babies" is protected speech. "This specific dog owner, Judy Smith, is part of a secret cabal that eats bab

"All dog owners are part of a secret cabal that eats babies" is protected speech. "This specific dog owner, Judy Smith, is part of a secret cabal that eats babies" is libelous. ... or at potentially so. There are situations where it might not be found libelous.