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As someone who knows Jill Carroll, let's give the attacks a rest. I met Jill last summer in Cairo where I was studying Arabic as part of my M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies in anticipation of a U.S. gov. job. Jill is what the Christian Science Monitor, her friends and colleagues say she is--an intelligent, caring, decent person appreciated and loved by those who know her. So, casting asperions about her is way off the mark. She's not a sympathizer, she's not a traitor, she's none of those things. She's a human being and American lucky to be alive through our prayers. As a good journalist, she researches and writes about all sides, sharing views maybe some of us don't like and don't want to hear, but, hey, that's part of her job and at least she has the guts to do it, risking her life in the process. As far as accusations about her being 'brainwashed'...perhaps those making the accusations know better than I would.
All I know is that when I hung out with Jill (not wearing a hijab then, b/c in Cairo as a woman you don't have to, but it helps in Iraq) and I knocked back plenty of beers, shared some great laughs and had great times. She's down-to-earth woman who has a great spirit. Anybody says anything to the contrary doesn't know her.
Thanks, and in the words of Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that.
MV