Republican representative hoped computer comparison would show Bill Ayers ghosted Obama’s book.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Azar Majedi: Religion is Political 
Nov 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The media continue to aid the mystification of religion as an untouchable institution.… Read the rest
No Reiki Without Permission
Nov 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You need permission on an energetic level to move into the client’s energy field.… Read the rest
Somali Woman Stoned to Death for ‘Adultery’
Nov 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She was buried up to her neck and then pelted to death with stones in front of thousands of people in Kismayo. … Read the rest
Studs Terkel 1912-2008
Nov 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
His searching interviews with ordinary Americans helped establish oral history as a serious genre.… Read the rest
‘She’s Godless!’ ‘I Am Not Godless!’
Nov 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Notion that it’s actually permissible to be godless does not get a hearing.… Read the rest
Muslim Artist Gets Muslim Death Threats
Nov 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Some sections of the Muslim community’ are pissed off at Sarah Maples.… Read the rest
Susan Jacoby on Religion and US Politics
Nov 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Republicans have tapped into fundamentalist resentment of educated, sceptical ‘elites.’… Read the rest
Museum Head Angers Pope, Is Sacked
Nov 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pope, Vatican, local pol pitched fits over frog that ‘injured the religious feeling of many people.’… Read the rest
Potential President Gets First Amendment Wrong
Nov 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thinks it protects ‘our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media.’… Read the rest
Normblog on Aronson on Choosing to Know
Oct 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The obstacles to knowledge, both within us and without, are many and various.… Read the rest
Barak Calls for Crackdown on Settler Violence
Oct 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There has been an increase in attacks on Palestinians during this year’s olive harvest. … Read the rest
Israel and Settler Threats
Oct 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Reports of violence by the right-wing activist groups have increased in recent months.… Read the rest
Women as Bombers Once Thought Immodest
Oct 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We were created to become martyrs for God,’ says insane woman.… Read the rest
Tens of Thousands of Refugees in DR Congo
Oct 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some observers say that the fighting in eastern DR Congo is really over control of mineral resources.… Read the rest
Purdy Loses Assisted Suicide Case
Oct 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wants her husband with her but fears he may be prosecuted, says she may have to go earlier than she wanted.… Read the rest
Assisting Suicide Could Be Prosecuted
Oct 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If the DPP does publish guidelines it will make it more likely that the decision will be made to prosecute.’… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre Asks: More Crap Journals?
Oct 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You’re not supposed to take everything in an academic journal as read, final, and valid.… Read the rest
Duplicate Publication is a Serious Problem
Oct 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If you think there are two trials showing that something works, that’s more impressive than if there’s just one.… Read the rest
Anthony Cox on BBC Churnalism
Oct 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Churnalism – rewriting press releases rather than news reporting – is common at BBC online news.… Read the rest
