[ThirstyMan]

People who can't get others to do what they want are always appalled by what those who can do it are able to earn big bucks .... even in failure.

I appreciate your point.

There is skill here I do not doubt it. Just as there is skill in Saudi Arabia and the greater OPEC cartel fixing prices. Them getting us to pay large sums of money for our oil requires "skill."

Exxon's CEO's skill was compensated for, I'd assume, by stock options and salary. But when he leaves the company he ceases to be of any benefit to the company.

Paying these large sums of money for departing execs looks bad.

[Wristpin]

Yes it looks bad but for comparison's sake let's look at the hollywood poofters. George Clooney's acension from the casting couch lavishes him with $20 million for 2 months work making a film.

That's nothing compared to the modern logistical miracle drilling, transporting, refining and delivering the 360 million gallons of gas the country uses each day.

One thing for sure this guy hasn't failed.