How to mislead with slippery language

We read:

NOAA Makes It Official: 2011 Among Most Extreme Weather Years in History

Just past the halfway point, 2011 has already seen eight weather-related disasters in the U.S. that caused more than $1 billion in damages

The devastating string of tornadoes, droughts, wildfires and floods that hit the United States this spring marks 2011 as one of the most extreme years on record, according to a new federal analysis.

The key, of course, is that little word "among" and his friend "one of". To put some flesh on Mr. "among", consider 1934:



All regions of the country were over 100 degrees.

80% of the US was experiencing drought.



1934 used to be the hottest year – before USHCN and GISS worked their magic.



SOURCE

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).