Carroll Followed Her Ambition to Iraq

AP ^ | 3/30/6 | ADAM GORLICK

[MineralMan]

"You and your logical approach to everything! Taking all the fun out of this story!:)"

Well, that's just how I am. At this point, we know that she was over there as a journalist, and we have evidence of that from the stories she wrote.

We know that she was kidnapped and her translator killed. We know that. We know she was held, then released today. We know that.

Other than that, there's very little that we actually know. I'm sure she's going to be speaking a lot over the next few days. Perhaps we'll learn more then.

I just find it a little odd that people are so quick to jump to negative assessments of this woman on such little information.

[b9]

I'm holding off on any comments about her until she is somewhere out of Iraq and able to speak for herself freely.

The speculations here are way out of line, given how little we actually know at this point.

Couldn't agree with you more.

I'm dumbfounded that a forum which honors the power of prayer so fervently, can discount her safe release.

A good friend just told me that her church held a special meeting last evening specifically devoted to Jill Carroll.

[avital2]

well, she could have chosen to say nothing until out of Iraqi airspace.....

[MineralMan]

"I'm dumbfounded that a forum which honors the power of prayer so fervently, can discount her safe release.

A good friend just told me that her church held a special meeting last evening specifically devoted to Jill Carroll."

---

Well, there's a group that always looks for the worst possible situation in everything. I have no doubt that Jill Carroll is probably a liberal. But, she's also a journalist working in a war zone. It doesn't really matter to the terrorists in Iraq what political party you are if you are an American, I'm thinking.

So, what happened there? Again, I'm sure we'll have lots of chances to hear from this young woman in the days to come. We'll see what she has to say.

But, you can count on a small group of FReepers to make the worst possible assumptions.

[MineralMan]

"well, she could have chosen to say nothing until out of Iraqi airspace.....

"

Probably not. And she didn't say much of anything, really.

[kenboy]

I just find it a little odd that people are so quick to jump to negative assessments of this woman on such little information.

Agreed wholeheartedly.

[68skylark]

He was of course murdered. But if she is fluent in Arabic, why the need for a translator to begin with?

Well the article doesn't say she was "fluent." Fluency would be a very high standard for a language like Arabic (or for any foreign language).

[68skylark]

Hello, she's just been released from being captive for four months, you know that can have a great psychological impact on someone.

I completely agree with you. After what she's been through, we all need to give her a large "pass" on almost anything she says. On the other hand, I do have criticisms for the way a lot of reporters are covering this story.

[Michamilton]

I've heard of this man. What does he "teach" at UMass?

He's an old time newspaperman (former former city editor of the Chicago Sun Times) turned journalism professor.

From a quick Google search, I can't figure out anything especially controversial or even especially political about him, though. I think you guys are thinking of Howard ZINN, not Howard Ziff.

[jonascord]

The term "journalist" has the certain connotations around these parts. Such synonyms as "Bald-faced commie mendacious traitorous lefty liar" or "terrorist appeasing pond scum sucking 'fake but accurate' creating Clymer kissing stupid Socialist suck up who couldn't find her own rear end with a ten man working party and a flash light" spring to mind.

Trustworthy and benefit of the doubt no longer apply.

[RexBeach]

That's what thought. Howard Zinn I know of; Howard Ziff? Never heard of him.

Thanks.

[skimask]

Take a look over at DU and see what the kids in their momies basement have to say. What a sick bunch. They are truly delusional and out of touch with reality.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x794995

Wear protective clothing if you dare to venture there.

[Stirner]

"One of her former professors at UMass, Howard Ziff
HUGE Leftist and hater of this country."

I think you are thinking of Howard Zinn, not Howard Ziff. Zinn is a huge leftist, but associated with Boston University not UMASS. Howard Ziff is a journalism professor, but not very political. He used to have a weekly show on Springfield Mass PBS when I lived in the area years ago, showing classic movies of the 30's and 40's with commentary, and it was strictly about the Hollywood greats, with no political message that I ever detected.

[OldFriend]

And I do wonder if ransom was paid, and that was the original intent of the entire scheme.

[Alice in Wonderland]

she has been in Iraq for several years. Her rationale for being in Iraq was to report about the fate of the Iraqi people. In photos taken prior to her kidnapping, Carroll was dressed in typical Iraqi woman garb and spoke fluid Arabic.

http://chickenhawkexpress.blogspot.com/2006/02/jill-carroll-you-read-and-you-decide.html

[antaresequity]

Do you honestly believe that she was in Iraq just to report?

The moment I saw this women on TV I knew she wasn't going to be harmed, nor would she rescued...

I suspected all along that she would just show up one day 'released', would not submit to a debrief from the Military, would not provide details as to the whereabouts of her captors, and that her so called captors would simply cease to exist...

This whole hostage drama is a sham and you got suckered...

[romanesq]

Well it reeks as she was taken by Sunnis and released to a Sunni party headquarters where they did the propaganda dance together.

I've seen a brief clip of her and I don't like so far what I've heard. She's only emphasizing how she was treated.

What about the man who was her interpreter? He paid for this kidnapping picnic she's been on with his life.

And she doesn't have a word to say about it?

I already donated to the interpreter's widow via an American Iraqi website for Allan Enwiyah who also leaves children behind. He was known for his kindness and love of music including Pink Floyd.

Allan Enwiyah is the one who deserves to be known today in all these stories.
And he's being ignored for paying with his life to help this woman.

I'm waiting to see more of her complete remarks but it smells.... bad.

[nickcarraway]

I'm going to have to call you on that. A friend that I went to college with knew her from working side by side with her in D.C. He didn't give me her life story, but he said he was very worried, and she was one of the better people he worked with. And, by the way, he is a conserative? Do you have anything other than idle speculation to smear he with?

[bellas_sister]

kidnapping was fake.

And like the Asian "peace" acttivists... they are fakes.