Welcome to our archive of news stories relevant to the project of fighting fashionable nonsense. The stories are drawn from the electronic pages of the world’s media. On this page, you’ll find links to those stories that have been featured on Butterflies and Wheels during the current year. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find links to separate archives of stories from previous years.

We’re always pleased to hear about news stories that you think should be featured on Butterflies and Wheels. Just send an email here, if you want to point one out to us.

A note about links

Inevitably links go out of date. We suggest, therefore, that you make hard-copies of the stories that particularly interest you.


Harry Kreissler Talks to Martha Nussbaum *

Oct 17th, 2006 | Filed by

‘I think it’s obvious that traditional religions have given women a second class status in pretty much every case.’… Read the rest



Two Faces of Arab Intellectuals *

Oct 17th, 2006 | Filed by

Khalid al-Maaly on a carefully masked double standard.… Read the rest



More on Free Speech in the US *

Oct 17th, 2006 | Filed by

Launch party for Carmen Callil’s book cancelled because of comment about Israel.… Read the rest



A C Grayling on Books on Friendships *

Oct 17th, 2006 | Filed by

Sages of quite different traditions extol friendship as the highest link in the social web.… Read the rest



Bush Advisors Called Evangelicals ‘Nuts’ *

Oct 16th, 2006 | Filed by

And goofy; but of course those are terms of endearment.… Read the rest



Islamism in Europe *

Oct 16th, 2006 | Filed by

Artists and leftists warn that the rise of radical Islam threatens European liberalism.… Read the rest



David Thompson on the ‘Phobia’ Ploy *

Oct 16th, 2006 | Filed by

Once beliefs become identity, disagreement becomes racism, and silence falls.… Read the rest



Creeping Creationism *

Oct 16th, 2006 | Filed by

Perhaps the rise of creationism is based on a desire to believe that the world is inherently good.… Read the rest



Nick Cohen on Homelessness Then and Now *

Oct 16th, 2006 | Filed by

216,000 new households are formed each year, but only 160,000 new homes are built.… Read the rest



Martin Newland Reports he is Catholic and Sane *

Oct 16th, 2006 | Filed by

Then provides details.… Read the rest



In the Name of Justice? *

Oct 15th, 2006 | Filed by

Jeremy Stangroom on thinking about retribution.… Read the rest



PEN has Concern for the Safety of Choudhury *

Oct 15th, 2006 | Filed by

Choudhury faces sedition charges for his criticism of the spread of Islamist militancy in Bangladesh.… Read the rest



Meet Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury *

Oct 15th, 2006 | Filed by

He tried to end ‘the well-orchestrated propaganda campaign against Jews and Christians.’… Read the rest



Bachelet Revisits Torture Site *

Oct 15th, 2006 | Filed by

Site is now a memorial to the thousands of prisoners who were tortured by the secret police. … Read the rest



MP Says Niqab Harms Women’s Rights *

Oct 15th, 2006 | Filed by

‘The veil is an obstacle to women’s participation on equal terms,’ Harriet Harman says.… Read the rest



Harriet Harman Talks to the New Statesman *

Oct 15th, 2006 | Filed by

Would prefer to see the veil gone from British society. ‘Because I want women to be fully included.’… Read the rest



Salma Yaqoob is Annoyed at White Feminists *

Oct 14th, 2006 | Filed by

Because we will keep wondering why men don’t wear the niqab.… Read the rest



Fareena Alam on the Veil on Radio 4 *

Oct 14th, 2006 | Filed by

Depressing stuff.… Read the rest



The Attack on Human Rights Watch *

Oct 14th, 2006 | Filed by

Attacks on HRW’s credibility make rational discussion increasingly difficult.… Read the rest



The Freedom to Choose to be Compelled *

Oct 14th, 2006 | Filed by

‘The veil is really important to all Muslim women who choose to wear it. Our religion compels us to wear it.’… Read the rest