Because dreams tend to be somewhat surreal they have the potential to be twisted to match the events that actually transpired.… Read the rest
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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Frontline on the Muslim Brotherhood 
Feb 23rd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They’re young, they’re hip, they’re tech-savvy, you’ll love them. Srsly.… Read the rest
The “moderate” Muslim Brotherhood
Feb 23rd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Senior MB figure describes Iran as a ‘model of resistance’ against the West, and praises it for its ‘respect for humanity’.… Read the rest
Revolution jokes
Feb 23rd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The tougher circumstances get, the more the jokes increase, which explains why Tahrir Square was essentially a comedy explosion.… Read the rest
“Evolution isn’t in the curriculum”
Feb 22nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
School stamps on scientific curiosity and aptitude in a girl of 9. Well done!… Read the rest
Kabul seeks control of women’s shelters
Feb 22nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some of the girls in the shelter were raped and then forced to marry the rapist. Some were married to much older men and kept with farm animals outside the house.… Read the rest
UNHRC Used By Dictators To Undermine Human Rights
Feb 22nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Human Rights Council currently includes members such as Libya, Bahrain, China, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.… Read the rest
US: unions fight back
Feb 22nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thousands of protesters were expected to gather in Ohio and Indiana and, for the second week in a row, Wisconsin.… Read the rest
Russell Blackford on gnude clothes and shutting up
Feb 22nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A great deal of what we’ve seen has not been “adults” telling the uncivil “children” to please show some communicative restraint.… Read the rest
Hitchens on “The King’s Speech” and shabby history
Feb 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The balloon of Hollywood ambition and prize-mania can burst with gratifying speed, emitting huge gusts of narcissism and megalomania.… Read the rest
Libya protests spread and intensify
Feb 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gaddafi seems to be losing vital support, as Libyan government officials at home and abroad resigned and air force pilots defected.… Read the rest
Gaddafi is losing the fight
Feb 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
US ambassador Ali Aujali said he could no longer represent a government that killed its own people.… Read the rest
Theologians get to change definition of evolution
Feb 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The National Association of Biology Teachers officially changed their description of evolution, to better accomodate the views of theologians.… Read the rest
Is it “theological” to say evolution is mindless?
Feb 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The completely material nature of selection is of great historical and intellectual importance.… Read the rest
The US made secret deals with the Muslim Brotherhood
Feb 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Each time, the only party that clearly benefited has been the Brotherhood.… Read the rest
Libyan military pilots seek political asylum in Malta
Feb 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Two Libyan air force jets landed in Malta on Monday; their pilots asked for political asylum amid a bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters in Libya.… Read the rest
Why is evidence so hard for politicians?
Feb 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s okay if your reforms aren’t supported by existing evidence: you just shouldn’t claim that they are.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on imaginary evidence
Feb 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If your reforms are a matter of ideology, legacy, whim, and faith, you could simply say so, and leave “evidence” to people who mean it.… Read the rest
Hackers expose offers to spy on corporate rivals
Feb 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Let’s make up stuff to discredit people!… Read the rest
Libya: death toll “tops 200”
Feb 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Residents told Al Jazeera that at least 200 people had died in the eastern city of Benghazi alone.… Read the rest
