They Can Have My Diet Coke When They Pry It From My Cold, Twitching Hands

Another day, another popular food item that will supposedly kill you:

New research that links diet soda consumption with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke has doctors urging caution about the controversial and preliminary results.

According to a study of more than 2,500 people presented today as a poster at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles, people who drank diet soda daily had a 61 percent increased risk of cardiovascular events compared to those who drank no soda, even when accounting for smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption and calories consumed per day.

When I read these stories I always have to suspect the motives of whatever organization has put it out. For years we've been told how bad sugary sodas are for you, and now you're not supposed to drink the diet variety either. Do I sense the evil clutches of the White House food Nazi here?

Probably not, but I've got news for the food cops - you can eat everything they tell you to eat in perfect moderation and you're still going to die.  Of all the vices I could have, I doubt if diet drinks are the worst I could do.