Yesterday's New York Times had a very short piece in the "Week in Review" section about the windfall profits (yes, sorry for my obsession, but I'm trying to get wrap my head around this issue). I submit for TOD readers the following passage:

But analysts also say the companies shouldn't be blamed for their profitability, which is largely a function of the price of crude oil.

That price is set by the worldwide interplay of supply and demand for energy, forces that even ExxonMobil and its peers cannot control, said Mr. Fadel Gheit, a senior energy analyst with Oppenheimer.

"It's like the guy who won the lottery, and now everybody hates him," Mr. Gheit said.

"Call it dumb luck, call it anything, fine," he added. "But don't accuse them of all this outrageous behavior, price gouging and collusion."