Please join Polly & Tom’s friends for a reception In loving memory of TOM HAINES (8/9/1933—12/17/2023) Sunday May 5, 2024, 2 to 5 PM CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) . . . → Read More: Tom Haines Memorial Reception Sunday May 5
|
|||||
For years, I had coped with Tom’s growing dementia at home—until that November night two years before, when he pushed his scarlet Nitro Rollator down the middle of Columbus Avenue, lit up in the headlights of oncoming cars. (“I’m going to Mexico,” he declared, “And don’t you try to stop me!”) When I agonized about the staggering cost of care at 305, the memory doc tried to reassure me: “In two years, he’ll either be dead or a zombie and you can bring him home.” . . . → Read More: That Time of Year 
Polly is sad to report that Tom died Sunday afternoon, December 17. For a week he refused food and water. Slowly he faded away until, like the Cheshire Cat, all that remained was his smile. . . . → Read More: You’re Invited to A New Year’s Eve Celebration of the Life of Tom Haines 
August 9, Tom blew out the candles on an oversized cupcake to celebrate his 90th. Two bouts of summer pneumonia have put him in hospice. Bedridden, on oxygen and with pressure sores, he dines on purees and thickened liquids. Just before Thanksgiving, Polly brought him home from 305 West End Assisted Living. He still sometimes recognizes her and even says a few words. And his broad smile still brings joy to everyone around him. . . . → Read More: Happy New Year 2024 (originally 12/16/23) 
He overcame a childhood in an orphanage and personal tragedies to found an innovative medical school to affordably educate minority and other disadvantaged students. In 2020, he was recognized for his achievement by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. . . . → Read More: Thomas Haines, Biochemist Who Founded the CUNY Medical School, Dies at 90 
Among successful people who start from nothing, some take all the credit themselves and despise those left behind. Witness that member of the Horatio Alger Club, Justice Clarence Thomas. Others acknowledge the help they received and devote themselves to giving back. Witness investigative journalist Greg Palast, scourge of vote-suppressing politicians. Witness also my husband, Thomas Haines. . . . → Read More: True Affirmative Action: Give Those Without Privilege a Fighting Chance to Get Privilege 
Christopher Leonard explains how Federal Reserve bailouts “went to large corporations that used borrowed money to buy out their competitors; it went to the very richest of Americans who owned the majority of assets; it went to the riskiest of financial speculators on Wall Street, who use borrowed money to build fragile positions in global markets;and it went to the very largest of U.S. banks, whose bigness and inability to fail was now an article of faith.” . . . → Read More: Debt Relief for Whom? Part II 
The student debt burden has grown from about $481 billion in 2006 to $1,476 billion in 2022. Just wiping it all out would be unfair, because more than half is owed to relatively-high income professionals. Richard Vague proposes that the federal government should expand an existing program, to allow such students “work off” their debt in public service such as providing health care in under-served areas. READ MORE about Vague’s Debt Jubilee proposals for student debt, medical debt, mortgages that exceed home values, bankruptcy reform, and more on Dollars & Sense. . . . → Read More: Debt Relief for Whom? Part I Mike in hand, our tour guide stands at the front of the bus. “This will be my last tour,” she announces. “I am not the same person I was six years ago. Then I was hopeful. There was so much work I didn’t have time for a break. Now it’s different. My generation, we feel betrayed. Ten years ago they promised reforms. But nothing changes.” . . . → Read More: The Last Tour Guide to Leave Cuba  Comments are closed  Essay  Corruption, Cuba, Development economics, Governance, Inequality, Trade policy In any species, occupants of superior habitats enjoy extra food, or better shelter, or better mating opportunities. This reduces survival pressure,allowing many varieties to thrive despite apparently “unfit” features. Only recently have ecologists recognized the impact of inherited wealth in animal societies. . . . → Read More: Survival of the Richest Turfholders, Not the Fittest Individuals |
|||||