To be clear, I'm all for sharing funny stories as part of a eulogy. I just don't think that attempting to repeat a joke is a great approach, that's all. Jokes aren't funny, anyway.

There's nothing wrong with thinking ahead. I delivered the eulogy for my grandmother at a memorial we had about a month after she died (the timing was per her wishes). The extra time allowed me to gather stories from others, and I would turn the radio off in my car so I could think about what to say. The end result was much better than anything I could have come up with in a day or two.

Also, it's ridiculous to say that most people who deliver eulogies do so out of some sense of self-aggrandizement. They usually do it because they're asked to do so by the closest relative to the deceased. That's why a cousin, or grandchild, or even a close family friend is often the choice -- they'll be able to stand up and speak.

I'd scrap #'s 2 and 3 -- they aren't a credit to him. The first and last ideas are worth exploring (though I wouldn't repeat a joke at a eulogy -- just make the point and move on). Not meaning to sound crass, but talking about community service can eat up a minute or two. Maybe there's a particular memory you have in which he actually managed to come through in some way -- as a protector, or a decent companion on a trip. You say he mellowed prior to the strokes -- that could be a time to focus on.

I don't know whether you're contemplating delivering the eulogy, or just writing it for someone else. In any case, good luck.

Marcel may be an irritating twerp, but it's been fascinating to see the violently negative response he's gotten from the other contestants. Much was made of his declining to help Sam with the service of his course, but throughout the season, and despite the scorn that's been heaped upon him, Marcel has been shown repeatedly offering to help the other chefs with their service.

But because he's somewhat reclusive, the dominant clique (first led by Betty and supported by the passive-aggressive Sam and the smug "joiner" Ilan) has taken great joy in castigating him. They relish inclusion and popularity, and the zeal with which they torment Marcel ends up saying a lot more about them than him. He may not be the best chef on the show (Sam and Cliff seem to be further along), but he makes no bones about the fact that he's just there to compete.

My only other observation is that Gail Simmons is an ice queen goddess....

Is it the sign of a well-run business that they suddenly can make do with so many fewer hours worked? Either there was a lot of sitting around before, or those remaining will be sweating buckets from now on. Sounds like management has decided to show those uppity wage-hikers where to stick it -- they'll by God LOWER the payroll. In any case, never stick around a job where your lot worsens over time through no fault of your own.

Although I feel only a tiny measure of satisfaction at Saddam's demise (and that is overwhelmed by sadness at the unspeakable cost we and they have suffered in the course of the event), I believe he got what he deserved.

Most of the witnesses against Saddam gave hearsay evidence.

His crimes against humanity are clear. The above statement obscures this fact, and I wish Mr. Cole had not made it. Still, I wish that a policy of containment had been pursued, because it hasn't been worth it. That's all.

...how to make my day. Far from being a waste of space, today's letter reveals to us that there's yet another way in which people need to get the hell over themselves.

I had a relative who was just like these profoundly strange people. I witnessed her at a restaurant slap her (grown) daughter's hand when she put her salad plate atop her dinner plate to help out the waiter who was cleaning off the table. She hissed "That's for the help to do!" If she was present at dinner, you were not allowed to laugh at the table. But it was so comically stifling that half of us couldn't suppress the urge anyway. Ahh, unintended consequences....

Unless of course this was all thought up by some pr guy his agent hired to do damage control. I certainly don't recall any stories about him donating to anyone before this.

How hard have you looked for such stories -- they don't make national headlines, but Vick has made the papers here in Atlanta for similar good deeds throughout his tenure. You can take someone at his word or not -- it's a choice. I choose to believe Vick is sincere, because his words and actions seem to merit that belief. You choose not to believe it, but lack evidence.