Free Republic

Harold Bloom, a giant of literary criticism, died in New York yesterday at the age of 89. The author of dozens of books and editor of hundreds more, Bloom taught at Yale University for five decades, beguiling his students and angering his critics who accused him of racism and sexism for his eurocentric views.Bloom got into trouble for his unabashed praise of Western literary giants like Shakespeare, Kafka, and Chaucer. And, he was unapologetic about it.NPR: Bloom had a photographic memory, and claimed he could recite all of Shakespeare, all of John Milton's "Paradise Lost" and copious swaths of...

Controversial State Board of Education member Don McLeroy trailed in his re-election bid Tuesday while longtime incumbent Geraldine “Tincy” Miller also appeared headed for an upset primary defeat. Republican Thomas Ratliff, son of former GOP Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff, held a narrow lead over McLeroy, one of the leaders of the board's social conservative faction. Miller, R-Dallas, was trailing high school English teacher George Clayton in a Dallas-area contest. Miller is a former chairwoman and, at 26 years, the longest-serving member of the board. In another key board race, Republicans Brian Russell and Marsha Farney headed for a runoff to...

FAA Probes Case of 80-Year-Old Iowa Man in Wheelchair Who May Have Died Before Boarding Flight DES MOINES, Iowa March 18 — An 80-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at the end of an airline flight, and authorities say it is possible he had already died when he was taken on board in his wheelchair. James Walsh was found dead Saturday after arriving at Des Moines International Airport on the America West Express flight from Phoenix. He had a history of heart and kidney-related problems. A report by the Polk County medical examiner's office said members of the flight crew reported...