Decision ‘08

Apologies Are In Order…

Though I doubt they will be forthcoming. Debbie Schlussel in particular, but many others, unfortunately mostly, if not exclusively, from the right, were ready to assume the worst about Jill Carroll and spewed all sorts of venom on the day the unfortunately young lady was released from captivity, a day that should have been one of joy for all lovers of freedom (and freedom of expression). Jill Carroll has now released her own statement, and it stands as a beacon of integrity next to the shameless partisan hackery of Schlussel:

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.

A classy statement from a lady who has earned her peace…

UPDATE 9:43 p.m.: Rick Moran says the knee-jerk condemnations of Carroll made her twice a victim…

UPDATE 2 10:42 p.m.: Let me be perfectly clear about this: I don’t care if Jill Carroll is anti-American or not (and to oppose U.S. policy in Iraq is not to be anti-American). There are only 2 facts of any importance here:

(1) Jill Carroll was kidnapped.
(2) She is now free.

Everything else is moot…

10 Responses to “Apologies Are In Order…”

1 Macmind - Conservative Commentary and Common Sense Says:
April 1st, 2006 at 10:01 pm
Just One Minute

ccording to ranking contact in Germany today, the last part of her statement is simply not true. She did resist. They reason those facts were “widely reported” is that they came from the source.
2 I Am, Therefore I Think Says:
April 1st, 2006 at 11:32 pm
One Cheer for Jill Carroll

I am glad to hear that Jill Carroll has been released. I am also glad to know that she has produced words of repudiation against the video interviews she was forced to make before her departure from Iraq. But I
3 A Blog For All Says:
April 2nd, 2006 at 10:27 am
The Repudiation

Throughout my coverage, I’ve not only noted the wide range of reactions - from Left and Right, but also that drawing conclusions as to Jill’s intentions requires information that only time and distance can provide (of course, I’m saying this far mor…
4 Florida Cracker Says:
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:42 am
Lunatic Fringe Pt. II

I’ve been meaning to touch on this for a while: why are Debbie Schlussel’s columns so full of venom and bile? Is there some open slot for a female Michael Savage she’s auditioning for, or is she actually a basilisk…
5 Debbie Schlussel Says:
April 2nd, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Actually:
I’ll be waiting (but not holding my breath) for YOUR apology. I NEVER cited the video. I cited other things that remain facts, despite the video recantation. Apparently, premature articulation has struck you too, quite harshly. I suggest for you, Mark, a big reading comprehension refresher, and then read this (assuming your thick skull can handle it, and I have my strong doubts based on your two imbecillic posts on my work, thus far):
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2006/04/premature_artic.html
Debbie Schlussel
6 Mark Says:
April 2nd, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Debbie, you seem to have a problem with understanding the concept of free speech. Jill Carroll is an American citizen - she has the right to dissent. You’re full of venom and hatred, and your reply here shows why you are square in the Ann Coulter branch of Republicanism. I expect the left to call out its extremists - and I’m calling you out.
7 Beth Says:
April 2nd, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Mark, you just paid her a huge compliment, calling her Ann Coulter. She WISHES. (Look around at her crappy site–any opportunity she has to remind people that she has been compared to her, she seizes.)
Whatever your opinion of Ann Coulter, they’re light-years apart. Schlussel is in the Fred Phelps camp, if anything.

Debbie Schlussel–you make me sick. You’re just a nasty, hateful, unhinged disgrace. Get professional psychiatric help. You need to examine why you’re so full of bitterness and anger towards everyone (yes, EVERYONE) and so delusional.
8 Mark Says:
April 2nd, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Hey, if Beth is on my side, I know I’m right!…
9 All Things Beautiful Says:
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:34 pm
Suspicion (FURTHER UPDATED)

UPDATE IX: The London Telegraph attacks the right wing Blogosphere in a major way….Embittered’, the ever hateful and bitter Mahablog, who cannot string two words together without spitting out venom, who calls me “ever-brainless” and a “dimwitt”
10 Jon Swift Says:
April 4th, 2006 at 8:23 am
Jill Carroll vs. the Blogosphere

While the mainstream media rushed to judgment and proclaimed the release of Carroll by Iraqi kidnappers to be a positive thing, many in the blogosphere urged caution.