It's funny how people who have spent too long chained to their keyboards become so engulfed in conspiracy and lose touch with reality even more than a 28-year-old girl who has been kept in isolation for 82 days.
I choose not the automatically believe a story that is not even consistent with itself. I refuse accept at face value the actions and words of somebody who has demonstrated themselves to be hostile.
Every word of Jill Carroll's story may be true. I am just not willing to roll over and buy into the feel-good version without question.
So, I guess I will just have to disagree with you Propertius.
(BTW, did you notice how I managed to disagree with you without being an insulting little snot? You should try it sometime!)
Sadly, after the polite beginning to your reply, your last line cast you in exactly the same mould you made for me...
I know Jill, and I therefore will accept her version of the story rather than your interpretation of it...
Jill Carroll Statement
RAMSTEIN AIRBASE, GERMANY — I'm so happy to be free and am looking forward to spending a lot of time with my family. I want to express my deep appreciation to all the people who worked so long and hard for my release. I am humbled by the sympathy and support expressed by so many people during my kidnapping.
In the past few days, the US military and officials have been extremely generous, and I am grateful for their help. Throughout this ordeal, many US agencies have committed themselves to bringing me safely home.
My colleagues at The Christian Science Monitor have worked ceaselessly to secure my release, and worked with security consultants to do so. Many other news organizations, both inside and outside of Iraq, as well as many officials from Iraq and other countries, worked hard to bring about my freedom.
So many people around the world spoke out on my behalf.
Thank you, all of you.
During my last night in captivity, my captors forced me to participate in a propaganda video. They told me they would let me go if I cooperated. I was living in a threatening environment, under their control, and wanted to go home alive. I agreed.
Things that I was forced to say while captive are now being taken by some as an accurate reflection of my personal views. They are not. The people who kidnapped me and murdered Alan Enwiya are criminals, at best. They robbed Alan of his life and devastated his family. They put me, my family and my friends--and all those around the world, who have prayed so fervently for my release--through a horrific experience. I was, and remain, deeply angry with the people who did this.
I also gave a TV interview to the Iraqi Islamic Party shortly after my release. The party had promised me the interview would never be aired on television, and broke their word. At any rate, fearing retribution from my captors, I did not speak freely. Out of fear I said I wasn't threatened. In fact, I was threatened many times.
Also, at least two false statements about me have been widely aired: That I refused to travel and cooperate with the US military and that I refused to discuss my captivity with US officials. Again, neither is true.
I want to be judged as a journalist, not as a hostage. I remain as committed as ever to fairness and accuracy--to discovering the truth--and so I will not engage in polemics. But let me be clear: I abhor all who kidnap and murder civilians, and my captors are clearly guilty of both crimes.
Now, I ask for the time to heal. This has been a taxing 12 weeks for me and my family. Please allow us some quiet time alone, together.
Richard Bergenheim statement
The Monitor wants to add its gratitude to everyone who is helping Jill return home. In addition we want to thank again all those in the Iraqi press who have been tireless in their campaign for Jill's release; we wish to thank the politicians, sheiks, and clerics in Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and other countries who have spoken out as well. And we need to thank all the citizens of Iraq, regular people like you and me, who continue to speak out strongly as well. We are in debt to too many people to thank them all. Jill will be home soon. As she writes, it is a time for healing. Let the healing begin.
http://www.csmonitor.com/earlyed/early_world040106.htm