The 'White House' isn't the original source for the reported Holbrooke comments

[bigtree]

the WaPo quotes an 'aide' (medical?) who was reportedly present: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkpoint-washington/2010/12/holbrookes_final_words_on_the.html


____ As Dr. Jehan El-Bayoumi was attending to Mr. Holbrooke in the emergency room at George Washington University Hospital, she told him to relax and asked what she could do to comfort him, according to an aide who was present. Holbrooke, who was in severe pain, said jokingly that it was hard to relax because he had to worry about the difficult situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

El-Bayoumi, an Egyptian-American internist who is Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's physician, replied that she would worry for him. Holbrooke responded by telling her to end the war, the aide said.

The aide said he could not be sure of Holbrooke's exact words. He emphasized Tuesday that the comment was made in painful banter, rather than as a serious exhortation about policy. Holbrooke also spoke extensively about his family and friends as he awaited surgery by Farzad Najam, a thoracic surgeon of Pakistani descent.


read: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkpoint-washington/2010/12/holbrookes_final_words_on_the.html

[JI7]

1. wonder why nobody commenting on this while kicking and reccing up the others

without any mention of what the doctor's said

[bigtree]

2. because it's the latest political football

. . . and many folks had invested a lot of personal belief (and emotion) in the earlier report. I know I did.

I expect it'll all be sorted out, eventually (and that sorting out promptly ignored here).

[lamp_shade]

3. Hmmm. No "Are you f*cking kidding me?" replies. Big K&R.

[xiamiam]

4. operative words are 'painful banter'..nt

[Scurrilous]

5. Thanks.

K & R :thumbsup:

[gratuitous]

6. Careful you don't pull a muscle

You're really reaching here.

[bigtree]

7. so you dispute the WaPO account?

Several people were in the room at the time and mostly corroborate Crowley's version.

I'm reaching for the truth. I'm not the one using this as a political football here. I happened to take some heart in the earlier reports. I can see now that the man's words were likely taken out of context.

But, you keep playing with it . . . maybe some of that shit folks are throwing at the WH over this will stick.

[gratuitous]

13. From the context, the "aide" referred to seems to be Holbrooke's

But keep reaching so as to justify to yourself all the best and the brightest of the White House. After all, the White House surely doesn't have any resources of its own to come out and say that nothing of the sort happened, or that they have no opinion about their own ambassador's alleged last words. I mean, how could the Obama administration possibly get its side of a story out? Besides, who does it really hurt to float a trial balloon that Holbrooke was kidding around about ending the war in Afghanistan? Just a bunch of dirty fucking hippies, who haven't been right about anything since the good war in Afghanistan started! It's not like this story is likely to piss off some people who aren't already pissed off with the administration, and it curries some much-needed favor with the administration's newest, bestest friends.

[bigtree]

17. the room was full of people. WaPo corroborated other accounts

. . . and actually name the person having the exchange with the ambassador.

The 'spin' is coming from folk here who post criticisms without any relevant facts about the exchange. You've actually characterized the exchange beyond what any account says, so. I'm surprised that you're heaping so much scorn on me for posting this more detailed account from a source who was reported to be in the room when the exchange occurred.

[Hello_Kitty]

8. Doesn't change the fact that the WH staff should shut their gobs and show some respect

They should not be commenting on a dying man's last words. At all.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

9. That's the real outrage.

Commenting makes them look as if they are trying to spin a dying man's intentions. Both ugly and stupid.

[bigtree]

11. the 'spin' today came from all sides

. . . and all sides looked craven exploiting the reported comments for their own political aims.

[bigtree]

10. yeah, to a point. I'm guessing the WH was asked to comment on this and the idiots there obliged

. . . not much of that scorn of yours for the folks here, though?

I took a great deal of heart in the earlier reports. I can see now that I was probably wrong to think he was making some sort of deathbed conversion, like it was reported. I took heart, but I had enough sense not to try and turn it into some political debate here. Not now, at any rate. I was truly sorry to see the blow-up here over what some spokesmen said, but the comments track all of the rest of the bloviated criticism of the White House and looks to be more of that sport, rather than some legitimate concern.

I'll wager than not more than a fraction of those here criticizing the WH know a wit about what Richard Holbrooke was actually doing in Pakistan and Afghanistan; much less care enough to support his efforts.

[Hello_Kitty]

16. All they had to say is "we have no comment on that" about Holbrooke's last words.

Doesn't matter if they were asked about them.

[struggle4progress]

12. Statement from the President on Richard Holbrooke

... For nearly 50 years, Richard served the country he loved with honor and distinction. He worked as a young foreign service officer during the Vietnam War and then supported the Paris peace talks which ended that war. As a young Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, he helped normalize relations with China. As U.S. Ambassador to Germany, he helped Europe emerge from a long Cold War and encouraged NATO to welcome new members. As Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs, he was the tireless chief architect of the Dayton Accords that ended the war in Bosnia 15 years ago this week, saving countless lives. As Ambassador to the United Nations, Richard helped break a political impasse and strengthen our nation’s relationship with the UN and elevated the cause of AIDS and Africa on the international agenda. And throughout his life, as a child of refugees, he devoted himself to the plight of people displaced around the world ... http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/13/statement-president-richard-holbrookePassing

Statement from the Vice President on Richard Holbrooke
Today, I lost a great friend and America lost one of its greatest warriors for peace. Richard Holbrooke was a larger than life figure, who through his brilliance, determination and sheer force of will helped bend the curve of history in the direction of progress. He touched so many lives and helped save countless more ... http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/13/statement-vice-president-richard-holbrooke

Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Tonight America has lost one of its fiercest champions and most dedicated public servants. Richard Holbrooke served the country he loved for nearly half a century, representing the United States in far-flung war-zones and high-level peace talks, always with distinctive brilliance and unmatched determination. He was one of a kind -- a true statesman -- and that makes his passing all the more painful ... http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/12/152782.htm

the WH staff should shut their gobs and show some respect seems to me an ugly and inaccurate assessment

[lamp_shade]

14. Thanks.

:thumbsup:

[Hello_Kitty]

15. ABOUT HIS LAST WORDS!!!

Jesus Christ on a Stairmaster.

[struggle4progress]

19. It seems to me a rather charming story, about a very dedicated man with a wry sense of humor,

chatting with the doctors before surgery

The kind of work Holbrooke did simultaneously requires a certain consuming concentration and a certain personal detachment, and the story sheds some light on that, so I'm rather sure it was retold in the spirit of warm personal remembrance

But I suppose that may not make any sense to you, if you cannot imagine that anyone in power has a warm personal regard for anyone else, or if your general reaction to public servants is they should shut their gobs

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

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