CurlingRocks:Why are you side-eying a business for encouraging people to use it for its intended purpose? I agree that it is an exorbitant interest rate, but that is why I don't haven an AmEx card.
I would probably feel differently if they'd said, "facing a financial crisis? don't worry, you can carry a balance!" Because, yeah, I can see needing to use a credit card to get through a tough time.
I think in the current economic state they shouldn't be encouraging people to shop it up. That's all. I just found it in poor taste.