Wall Street's meltdown, linked to shady lending practices, reveals the moral bankruptcy of huge segments of the market. Yet political leaders now urge our children to quietly fill-in bubble tests, seeking only to become productive cogs in a broken wheel.

"We use latrines!" the children answered, knowing the right response.

It's a quiet alienation that others are hearing as well.

The question also continually nags as to whether there is a young generation to carry on the tradition.

"Every day we are walking on shaking ground."

But many boomers are ignoring this prospect.

"In my experience, don't worry about that."

We never thought this day would come.

The crisis has complex roots, and Somali warlords bear primary blame.

"I wish it would die already!" Mr. Moonves blurted out in a delightfully unguarded moment.

I have given this a lot of thought, and I think our best immediate course of action is to whine a lot.