Dude, these stories are not intended to elicit sympathy for the borrowers or lenders. They’re a warning to how this mess will impact the larger economy.
You're right, but apparently some people feel morally superior by declaring they have no sympathy for others. I think it's like some Christians who get off by condemning others to hell.
Of course they are, just like the stories of Somalis hurt by the Minnesota bridge collapse are meant to elicit a certain response.
The desired response is the usual: Bush is killing the economy and the little guys are getting hurt. Therefore, we should all get behind Shumer’s bailout plan and save the US from a disastrous “meltdown”.
Remember, this is CNN’s magazine, and they have an agenda.