It's described as a modern day run on a bank. In the days leading up to the fire sale of investment bank firm Bear Stearns, the company was the topic of rumors, speculation and fear that led the venerable Wall Street firm to the brink of ruin. Bear Stearns CEO Alan Schwartz, testified about those uncertain days before the Senate Banking Committee. SOUNDBITE: Bear Stearns CEO Alan Schwartz, saying (English): "Due to the stressed conditions of the credit markets as a whole and the unprecedented speed with which rumors and speculation travel and echo through the modern financial media environment, the rumor and speculation ultimately became a self fulfilling prophesy. Because of the rumors and conjecture, customers, counterparts and lenders began exercising caution their dealings with us and during the later part of the week refused to do business with Bear Stearns." Schwartz said that left few options. SOUNDBITE: Bear Stearns CEO Alan Schwartz, saying (English):...