Childless Alan, Alas ...

Either completely irrelevant or a key personality indicator,

is not a father.

Author of the just-released memoir "Age of Turbulence," former fed chief Alan Greespan is an only child, as well as an early adapter of Ayn Rand's objectivist philosophy — usually practiced as a belief in one's own superiority to the point where you don't have to give either an inert or flying f**k about anyone else or thing.

Greenspan is also generally credited with the various recent glories of American economic progress, but there are criticisms. Rand referred to him as a "social climber" and others similarly criticize his willingness to pander for the limelight, but accept no personal blame.

Which brings us back to his not being a father. If he'd had children would he have learned that sometimes you have to let the kids play without you so they can grow on their own? Could he have learned something about taking responsibility for what you do? Would he have understood that early on you may be a superhero, but later you'll be a first class idiot and, eventually, you'll just be a man, both praise and blameworthy.

** And dealing with a kid's allowance wouldn't have hurt in trying to keep that sub-prime mortgage issue from getting out of hand either. **