By anticipating violence, these publishers brand a whole community as violent. It’s infuriating!… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Ireland: Library Funding Slashed 
Oct 11th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Galway Library has had cut the number of new books to one between all branches.… Read the rest
Funds Cut Off for Iran Human Rights Watchdog
Oct 11th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Many see the denial of funds as a shift by the Obama admin away from promotion of human rights in Iran.… Read the rest
Egypt: Controversy Over the Niqab
Oct 11th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
This is the same government that is said to have prosecuted people for breaking their Ramadan fast. … Read the rest
Tony Blair Joins Rhetorical War on Atheists
Oct 11th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Those who scorn God and those who do violence in God’s name, both represent views of religion.’… Read the rest
The Murder of Grace Ushang
Oct 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She was a member of Nigeria’s Youth Service Corps; she was raped to death for wearing trousers.… Read the rest
Nigeria’s ‘Indecent Dressing Bill’
Oct 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The bill mirrors that article of the Sudanese penal code under which Lubnah Hussain was arrested.… Read the rest
Journalist Talks to Dawkins About New Book
Oct 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Popular science writers trade in awe, the sense of sublime wonder that drew them to it in the first place.… Read the rest
Stupidest Article Ever to Appear in Major Media
Oct 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Another group of researchers, many of them with advanced degrees in science, are unimpressed by Ardi.’… Read the rest
Then Again – Ardi Was Married and Straight! Yay!
Oct 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The species may have pair-bonded, therefore, marriage has meant woman and man for 4.4 million years.… Read the rest
C of E Grabs Power Back From Women Bishops
Oct 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Committee agreed to automatically remove certain powers from female bishops and give them to their male colleagues.… Read the rest
Church Times Reviews ‘Does God Hate Women?’
Oct 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Surprisingly favorably. (The irony was entirely intentional! I know where ‘whited sepulchre’ comes from!)… Read the rest
Nobel Committee Gives Obama a Surprise
Oct 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Republicans are grumbling about star power.… Read the rest
US v Freedom of Expression
Oct 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Egypt and US co-sponsored a resolution condemning ‘negative stereotyping of religion.’… Read the rest
Atheism as Class-marker is Beside the Point
Oct 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It would be outrageous to say that the reasons for choosing atheism over religion might actually be valid.… Read the rest
Obama Adviser Defends Sharia
Oct 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says majority of women around the world associate justice for women with sharia compliance.… Read the rest
Your Child is Missing? Here, Meet Our Medium
Oct 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
New Zealand public tv station inserts itself into missing child story by offering one of its ‘psychic stars.’… Read the rest
Mooney Insists That Dawkins Has Surrendered
Oct 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He has become a communicator! He has learned how to frame! Another lost lamb returned to the fold.… Read the rest
Your Logic Makes the Puppy Sad
Oct 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Myers on Mooney on Dawkins on communication.… Read the rest
Yes You Are Strident, Reporter Tells Dawkins
Oct 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You wouldn’t talk about a strident Christian, Dawkins tells reporter.… Read the rest
