Paul W. Smith

Diagnosis smokes out health reform ironies

Outta my mind on a Saturday moanin':

Observations as I make the rounds on the Internet:

• Ron Hart writes in the Panama City, Fla., News Herald: "If Obama has his way, his health care plan will be funded by his Treasury chief who did not pay his taxes, overseen by his surgeon general who is obese, signed by a president who smokes and financed by a country that is just about broke. What possibly could go wrong?"

• Another person writes: "There's nothing to do!" Au contraire. Here are just a few ideas of what to do in Metro Detroit:

• "The Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato" is making its first showing in our country or, for that matter, anywhere outside of Mexico at the Detroit Science Center. This 10,000-square-foot national exhibition is the first endeavor of its kind. The Science Center production gives a taste of science, history and cultural anthropology on a fascinating journey back over 100 years ago.

• Tuesday, hear U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood's address to the Detroit Economic Club at the Masonic. He will discuss "the success of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the department's priorities for ensuring that transportation supports the middle class and opens doors to new economic opportunities across the nation." The presiding officer will be U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell, D-Dearborn. More information at Econclub.org.

And please mark Oct. 20 on your calendars to join me for lunch at Cobo Center. I moderate a panel of experts about what they see ahead for the economy.

• Join WJR for a gourmet extravaganza on Oct. 19 at the Ritz Carleton in Dearborn at the 8th annual Signature Chefs Auction to benefit the March of Dimes and honor the entire Edmund T. Ahee family for their longtime commitment and dedication to our community.

Paul W. Smith is host of "The Paul W. Smith Show" on WJR (760 AM) from 5:30-9 a.m. Monday-Friday. E-mail: letters@detnews.com. His column runs on Saturdays.