"The big debate right now is if Saddam is alive or dead. He's dead, then he's alive, then dead, then alive. It's just confusing. Today they showed videotape, and Saddam was speaking at his own funeral"

In this quote, David Letterman is referring to the continuous dispute about the status of Saddam Hussein, the former dictator of Iraq. He utilizes a sarcastic tone to reveal his confusion and frustration with the continuously altering reports about whether Saddam is alive or dead. Making use of repetition in the phrase "dead, then alive, then dead, then alive" stresses the uncertainty surrounding the circumstance. The reference of a video showing Saddam speaking at his own funeral adds to the absurdity of the scenario. In general, Letterman is highlighting the disorderly and undependable nature of the information surrounding Saddam's fate.