Big Oil: "We'll be good. We pinkie promise, so you can trust us."

Of course, their other hand was behind their back, and the fingers in it were crossed.

From CNN, dated 2/24 -

Big Oil CEO responds to Biden: We would never 'take advantage of' war in Ukraine

American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Sommers insisted on Thursday that US oil companies would not seek to capitalize on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Our companies would never take advantage of this kind of situation," Sommers, who leads the most powerful US energy trade group, told CNN in a phone interview.

Earlier on Thursday, Biden delivered a warning to the oil industry amid soaring prices.

"American oil and gas companies should not -- should not exploit this moment to hike their prices to raise profits," Biden said in prepared remarks.

Sommers argued that US oil companies want to do what's best for consumers around the world.

"My member companies are patriots," he said. "This is not a time to target one particular industry that has a proven record."

From the US Energy Information Administration -

He said that the oil industry has a "proven record".  In and of itself, that statement is true, and perhaps the most truthful thing that he said.

Of course, it isn't a *positive* proven record.

Personal aside:

A long time ago, I worked for a relatively small convenience store chain (~170 locations, all in the northeastern US) and we had a company picnic/outing at a campground.

It was during Operation Desert Shield, and our gas prices went up at least daily, sometimes more than once a day.

At the outing, I was seated at a table that was next to a table filled with company execs who, after imbibing some alcoholic drinks, and still imbibing, were laughing about how they hoped that the press didn't find out how much profit they were making off of the conflict in the Middle East.

I learned two things that day:

1. Fully grown men shouldn't cackle.  Actually, no one should - it's not a good look for anyone.

2. Some folks *really* should stay away from booze.  Especially folks who believe who place profits ahead of human lives.