For most people, the wires snaking out of our phones, computers and TVs are in the realm of techies and cable guys. Whether copper or fiber-optic glass, even a naked strand gives no hint of the fantastic images or scandalous conversations shooting through it.

Apr. 13--What a sad comedown for long-suffering shareholders of AT&T. It wasn't just that the U.S. government broke up the "Ma Bell" monopoly 22 years ago.