Richard Holbrooke has died

ABC News ^ | December 13, 2010 | Jack Tapper

[Ravnagora]

ABC News has learned that Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, has died.

On Friday, Holbrooke was rushed to the hospital with a torn aorta. He went through more than 20 hours of surgery. Earlier this evening, speaking at the US State Department, President Obama sang Holbrooke's praises and called him "a tough son of a gun."

Holbrooke, 69, was a former ambassador to the United Nations and served as chief negotiator at the Dayton Peace Accords, which ended the war in Bosnia.

The New Yorker's George Packer wrote a nice story about Holbrooke last year, which you can read HERE.

[WestwardHo]

You trucated my the quote.

I apologize, that was not my intent. I was only thankful for the advances made because of Dr Debakey’s work.

[Quickgun]

Can a journalist die of a brain tumor? ☺

[Pelham]

What’s the connection?

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Very good post.

[Pelham]

There’s a continued lowering of standards in all of American life, and it’s a shame to see it among those who identify as conservatives. Some may simply be taking their lead from Hannity who often acts as if he never heard the phrase ‘De mortuis nil nisi bonum’

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

My Grand daddy was happy as hell when Hitler died.

[warm n fuzzy]

I send my sincere condolences to his family and friends.

I will say only this about the man, as far as I’m concerned, one of traditional, CONSTITUTIONAL, America’s worst enemies died today.

[Ravnagora]

Touche.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Certainly not.;)

[patriot preacher]

Prayers for the family of Mr. Holbrooke, for comfort and strength in their time of loss. I wish for them only blessings in their time of mourning.

[Honorary Serb]

....I’ll just say that in the unlikely event someone arranges a Panakhyda for [Holbrooke]...

It ain’t gonna happen, so you need not worry about it!!!!

[Postman]

Dacron. I used to have a summer suit made of Dacron and cotton...Well gone now....as is Mr. Holbrooke....sorry for his family, though...not sorry about Mr.Holbrooke...a feeling probably shared by many, many Israelis.

[BradyLS]

Bill: “And may I give a hearty *W@@T!* to all you fine folks out there in Hooterville!”

[Lmo56]

I’m surprised that he lasted as long as he did after being stricken. John Ritter suffered the same thing and didn’t even make it to the hospital OR - and it was across the street from his studio ...

[BradyLS]

What’s the connection?

If I know Bill, the connection is a bee line!

[ClayinVA]

I was wondering how he survived for so long, that is also always fatal unless you just happen to have a chest x-ray at the right time.

[luvie]

Exactly what I was thinkin’!

[hampdenkid]

How come Holbrook lasted so long? Ritter was dead by the time he hit the floor.

[csvset]

How did he tear his aorta? Some type of trauma? Anyone shed a light on this?

[sissyjane]

My Father’s Aorta ruptured in a trauma unit, and he was only given a 10% chance of recovery after fourteen hours of surgery. He was in ICU for a month, but he made it. He was never the same, and had short term memory issues until he was diagnosed with Alheimer’s. The doctor’s believed that the cause of the Alzheimer’s was the rupture of his aneurism.