• It takes a celebrity: Oprah Winfrey, reigning queen of television (and magazines, and satellite radio, and suburban moms everywhere), explains her commitment to Africa: "I wasn't just trying to make a school that would develop political leaders.... I'm looking for the opportunity to change the paradigm, to change the way not only these girls think ... but to also change the way a culture feels about what women can do."

• Apparently there's one thing we could've done right in Iraq: Major General William Caldwell told reporters the U.S. government would have handled the execution of Saddam Hussein "differently." For one thing, the president would've mocked Hussein after his death, as he did with Karla Faye Tucker when he was governor of Texas.

• Meanwhile...: A guard who was at the scene was arrested in connection with leaking the infamous camera-phone footage of Hussein's execution. No word on when or where he will be summarily executed.

• They always disappear just when you need something: Bob Nardelli, Home Depot's top executive, has quit the hardware behemoth over his compensation, which has been disproportionately large during a downturn for the company. After six years at the helm, he'll leave with $210 million and all the drywall he can strap to the roof of his car.

Photo: Splash News & Picture Agency