[Steve_Seattle]

I don't accept the AGW theory, but it looks like there's been a slight upward trend (about .3) since 1980, and that the claim that there's been no rise since 1998 is based on cherry-picking that unusually warm year as the point of comparison.

The low points in recent years tend to be at or above the high points in the early 80s. I think we can acknowledge some slight global warming without buying into the hysteria and exaggerated claims of the AGW crowd.

[palmer]

the claim that there's been no rise since 1998 is based on cherry-picking that unusually warm year as the point of comparison.

Moncton didn't cherry pick 1998, he used 1996. You are correct the trend is up if only slightly. But the trend over the last 20 years is less than the trend over the last 30 years. Thus claims of accelerating warming are false. If anything we will see reduced solar activity and will be lucky to keep warming.