FF,

When I debated Economides at Texas A&M, he asserted that Saudi oil production was up in 2007, versus 2005 (in contrast to my position stating the opposite). He produced an EIA slide showing Saudi production up. I said I didn't know where the slide came from, but the data tables showed production down relative to 2005. He said it was up. I offered to bet him $1000. He said fine. I said, to make it crystal clear, if I can produce an EIA data table showing that Saudi production is lower in 2007 than in 2005, you will pay me $1,000? He then said that he was talking about "productive capacity" (which is what the slide showed). I then explained to the audience what productive capacity is. I said that I had the theoretical capacity to date Julia Roberts, but how realistic is that expectation? To which Economides replied, "I dated Julia Roberts." (Followed by general laughter). I have so far been unsuccessful in trying to get a copy of the video of the debate.

I have met Christine, and I can say with a certain degree of confidence that Michael and I are, in regard to our lovely brides, both very lucky men.

BTW, if you haven't seen our Net Exports paper, it's up on the EB and on Graphoilogy.