Articles on why diet Coke makes you fat, why Europeans and North Americans treat cars differently, why Canada’s health care system is ‘better’ than the United States, the importance of state owned enterprises in the Chinese economy, death by a thousand troop withdrawals, Japan’s identity crisis, old alpha story, Michael Ignatieff’s silly thoughts, and the Chinese Communist Party’s 90th birthday celebration.

In the ‘don’t fool with nature’ category, it turns out that the sweetner in diet drinks actually makes you fat. Thanks to David of London.

Telegraph – Why Thin People Don’t Drink Diet Coke
Where I work there is a canteen serving espresso coffee and cold drinks.

Quote worth quoting.

“[S]oft drinks may be free of calories, but not of consequences” -- Helen Hazuda, professor of clinical epidemiology at the Texas University School of Medicine

No parking.

New York Times – Car Clash: Europe versus the United States
Europeans are doing all they can to discourage people from driving and parking their cars in and around cities. When European planners say that their aims are the opposite of American ones, it sounds like a boast, if not a fact, and starts a vigorous debate.

Another study showing that a health care strategy that spreads the risk of ill health across the entire population with a publically delivered strategy is, if this is your definition of better, less expensive and delivers healthier on average outcomes. This may also belong in the so what category. Thanks to Nick of Victoria for sending this in.

Scientific American – We’re Number Two: Canada Has as Good of Better Health Care Then the United States
Despite spending half what the U.S. does on health care, Canada doesn't appear to be any worse at looking after the health of its citizens.

State owned enterprises and the Chinese economy, big and powerful.

Economist – The Long Arm of the State
ONE OF THE privileges that urban hukou holders enjoy is access to jobs in the state sector in the cities where they were born.

Vietnam all over again. Thanks to David of Victoria.

UPI – Vietnam Redux
U.S. President Barack Obama has just finished explaining to the world that he is ordering 10,000 soldiers home from Afghanistan this year and another 23,000 by September 2012, which will still leave some 70,000 till 2014, when his secretary walks in, notepad at the ready, and says, "The Taliban called. They said, 'Take your time.'

Robin of Victoria sent in a series on Japan in the McKinsey Quarterly. Identity crisis indeed.

McKinsey Quarterly – Japan’s Identity Crisis
Japan’s biggest problems are conservatism and cowardice. We want stability, peace of mind and safety. But the world keeps changing. Other countries are growing, while we in Japan stick to our old ways.

A reminder that information, process, and attitude are the keys to getting an edge on alpha.

Pragmatic Capitalist – The Three Sources of Alpha
Pat Dorsey of Sanibel Captiva Trust was interviewed on Morningstar yesterday to provide some ideas for sources of alpha.  

Related.

Pdf below -- Behavioral Science and the Sources of Alpha

Excellent analysis of the recent run up of inflation, basic supply and demand.

Pdf below -- TD Economics: Slower Growth and Tighter Monetary Policy to Temper Inflation

Please be quiet.

Globe and Mail – Quick, Get Michael Ignatieff the Smelling Salts
You should never kick a man while he is down, so I won't. But reading Michael Ignatieff's opinion piece, I feel like I should send the guy some smelling salts.

Quote worth quoting.

“Michael Ignatieff lost the election because he was a lousy politician leading a party that was, and still remains, broken on many levels.”

Related.

Pdf below -- Canadians Abroad

Happy Birthday

Asia Sentinel – The Chinese Communist Party’s 90th birthday
Why the party could be its own worst enemy.