But that's a separate question. I won't argue the CEO pay issue; you have a valid point. You are aware that CEO's in other industries are also paid sums completely out of line with their contribution to the bottom line.

But the idea of singling out the oil companies for their raw profit without considering the scale of operation (especially when other industries take on percentage basis a higher profit) is misleading in my mind.

I would love to see boards of directors everwhere grow a pair and drive executive pay toward more reasonable levels.