More rats, mice, wasps. Can we see the statistics? No, they’re a secret.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Bush Edits Jefferson Quotation in Speech 
Jul 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The chains [under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves].… Read the rest
HRW on Ethiopian Plan to Control NGOs
Jul 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ethiopia should ditch plans to impose strict controls and harsh criminal penalties on NGOs.… Read the rest
Kenan Malik on the Trap of Identity
Jul 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
To view humans as having to bear specific cultures is to deny a capacity for transformation.… Read the rest
Special Laws for Catholic ‘World Youth Day’
Jul 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anyone deemed to be causing annoyance could be arrested and fined up to $5,500.… Read the rest
People Turn Shirty for World Youth Day
Jul 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
11. Thou shalt not annoy.… Read the rest
Students Disciplined for Refusing to Pray
Jul 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Two students refused to kneel and ‘pray to Allah’ during a religious education lesson at state school.… Read the rest
China’s Missing Girls and Restless Boys
Jul 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
China has the largest gender imbalance in the world, with almost 20% more newborn boys than girls.… Read the rest
Two Kinds of Patriotism
Jul 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Patriotism of affirmation appeals to conservatives, patriotism of dissent is cherished by liberals. … Read the rest
How to Confuse the Issue
Jul 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Define ‘Islamophobia’ as hatred of Muslims then rail at anyone who is critical of Islam.… Read the rest
More Confusion
Jul 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The religion is one thing, the people are another.… Read the rest
Lord Chief Justice Says Sharia OK
Jul 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It was not very radical to advocate embracing sharia law in the context of family disputes.’… Read the rest
Denmark Happiest, Zimbabwe Least Happy
Jul 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Survey finds personal freedom even more important to happiness than prosperity.… Read the rest
Peter Green on Herodotus
Jul 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A broadminded, witty cosmopolitan, for whom the varieties of human custom were a source of fascination.… Read the rest
Muslim Woman Councillor Bullied by Men
Jul 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Imam notes ‘Because this is Britain, you cannot tell anyone what to do. I can tell my wife, but cannot tell other women.’… Read the rest
AU Disappointed With Obama Plan
Jul 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rather than try to fix Bush ‘faith-based’ initiative, Obama would do better to shut it down.… Read the rest
Tayside Police Apologize for Puppy on Postcard
Jul 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We did not seek advice from the diversity adviser. That was an oversight. We apologise for any offence.’… Read the rest
Offensive Puppy Postcard Claim Dismissed
Jul 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mahmud Sarwar, trustee of Scottish Islamic and Cultural Centre, said chill, postcard is fine.… Read the rest
The Permanent Anti-feminist Backlash
Jul 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Arguments we thought were long-won have been re-opened, rights we thought were settled are under threat. … Read the rest
What the Games Reveal and Conceal About China
Jul 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
China’s propagandists have studied the theories of ‘manufacturing consent’ by Lippmann and Bernays.… Read the rest
