In 2008, the banks that had caused the financial crisis in the first place–and they bear literally 100% of the blame–did something that was spectacularly wrongheaded and stupid. But hey, they’re banks, right? Every major US bank jacked up interest on its credit card portfolio. Suddenly, in a time of such crisis, many banks abruptly doubled the interest rate on most or even all of their credit cards. This had exactly the same effect on the pocketbooks of consumers as a tax increase. But it was worse than a tax increase, because it also sent a message that credit cards are dangerous and should be used sparingly, if at all.
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Practically every global warming model out there predicts increasingly extreme weather oscillations, epochal floods and extreme droughts, ferocious winters and brutal summers. In other words, they’re right. At present, we’re experiencing the mirror image of last winter’s deep freeze: hellish heat. Between 1998 and 2008, temperatures remained relatively flat because the amount of particulate matter being produced by Chinese pollution reduced sunlight hitting the earth. This gave global warming deniers fuel for their false tales.read more

Every six months, or sooner if needed, the Unknowncountry.com Climate Watch section is updated. This update shows something that I consider both sad and ironic. It is that the southwestern US, which is arguably the world center of climate change denial, is experiencing what now appears to be the worst drought ever recorded in the region. Of course, I’m from Texas and have many friends there in all walks of life, including farming and ranching. One rancher I know is going to slaughter his whole herd soon because he cannot water them, and he’s saying that this is happening all over the state. In Austin and San Antonio, temperatures have risen above a hundred for weeks.
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