Morgenson has two excellent pieces today, one fresh in the New York Times, on exactly what the elephant in the room is and ideas on how to nurse it to health. The first gleam of hope I think. But it will take some time.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/business/25gret.html
The other Morgenson article "fresh" in the Cincinnati Enquirer from the syndicated file of a few days ago (missed it somehow in my daily reading of the NYT):
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/business/18gret.html?scp=3&sq=morgenson%20banking&st=cse
And then a tour-de-force on Bernie Madoff. This one also points out the great, great falacy of deregulation.
"The Talented Mr. Madoff"
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/business/25bernie.html?_r=1&8dpc