Afghanistan

[TheMercenary]

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley attempted to correct the record on the Holbrooke quote. He elaborated on the ambassador's words, which were apparently part of a lengthy exchange during which Mr. Holbrooke bantered with hospital staff.

“I can't relax. I'm worried about Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he said, lightly, when the medical team asked how they could make him comfortable before his heart surgery.

After some additional exchanges, someone in the medical staff said, “Well, tell you what: We'll try to fix this challenge while you're undergoing surgery.”

“Yeah,” Mr. Holbrooke replied. “See if you can take care of that, including ending the war.”

Was it a great joke? Not really. But it was a brave joke to make. Its author was brave to be joking at all. He knew the serious nature of the surgery he was about to undergo and he sought to lighten the mood for everyone around him.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1843188/

And here:

http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/ken...ized-lefty-mot

And here:
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/15/132087...kes-Last-Words

A simple Google search will give you plenty of sources.