I think Bitteroldcoot's analysis is right on. Also it looks like T. Boone Pickens stumbled for a while, maybe because it's so hard to rein himself in from telling the whole story.

That is my impression also. Boone Bickens is clearly a very astute man who knows that there is no sense in throwing pearls before swine. However, his guarded comments must have unsettled a few people's complacency, which is the most one could expect given the circumstances.

I dont know what Rubin's position is on Peak Oil. Was he also carefully understating his case ? I couldnt tell from his manner, but then I'm not an american !

BTW, a personal note regarding Mr. Pickens and the HL method. At my request, he underwrote part of the cost of the Simmons/Kunstler symposium on 11/1/05, and at the symposium I gave him some of our preliminary Hubbert Linearization (HL) work. His assistant called me the next morning at 8:00 A.M. and said that Mr. Pickens wanted to know if I could come by and brief his staff on the technique. (As I have previously described, this is the event where my daughter and son-in-law turned down the chance to meet Matt Simmons, Jim Kunstler and Boone Pickens.)

Kids ;-)
Well Jeffery it took awhile but your views are catching the big wave - I hope you benefit someway.

Hi Jeffrey,

Glad you're using your connections for the benefit of humanity. I hope you can sponsor more events like the symposium. (And perhaps next time "the kids" will jump in - if not, I bet I know some people who would be happy to fill in.)

Jeff Rubin works for CIBC World Markets.

From wikipedia: "CIBC World Markets is the investment banking division of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. It helps governments, large companies, and other large institutions obtain capital and credit and is a primary dealer in U.S. Treasury securities."

I would speculate that he was willing to be honest about Mexico and export land, because he has financial interest in oilsand development.

He came back to tar as our savior one to many times. At least he was honest that the price of tar oil will be really high.