Well, I took the car into the Dealer this morning and after checking
recalls, bulletins and test driving, they have concluded  it is something
INSIDE the steering column that is rubbing on somehting. TA-DA. Hello!

So, they are stripping the steering column down. They said, I think I got
this right, there is a "safety ring in place in the steering column, behind
the air bag that gets dry and causes this squeak."

Supposed to have it repaired-lubricated by 5 PM today.

More later as the saga unfolds.

Bob...