Attacks on civil society and the opposition are the latest developments in a sustained campaign of terror.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Burma Should Free Detained Activist Zargana 
Jun 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Burma’s military government should immediately free Zargana and permit him to continue distributing aid.… Read the rest
Mugabe Promises to Fight ‘Traitors’
Jun 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Described the opposition as ‘traitors’ and referred to Zimbabwe’s past struggle for independence.… Read the rest
Bardot Fined for Remarks on Animal Slaughter
Jun 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Said in a letter to Sarkozy that Muslims should stun animals before slaughtering them.… Read the rest
US Defends Right to Offend in Speech
Jun 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Innocent intent is not a defense. Nor is truth. Publication in the public interest is not a defense.’… Read the rest
Giles Fraser Talks Tortured Nonsense
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Saying ‘intelligent people are less likely to believe in god’ is racist.… Read the rest
South African Court Bans Aids Vitamin Trials
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rath Foundation promote vitamin pills and minerals which they say can reverse the development of HIV/Aids. … Read the rest
Maybe Someday Saudi Women Will Run
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Or maybe not. Don’t hold your breath.… Read the rest
David Brooks on Obama’s Applebee’s Problem
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who could go into an Applebee’s salad bar, and people think he fits in naturally there.’… Read the rest
India: Hindu Nationalists and Muslims Clash
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Supporters of the RSS and local Muslim villagers clashed after the RSS set up a camp in the area. … Read the rest
Mass Rally for Pakistani Judges
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thousands of protesters are gathering to demand the government reinstate judges fired by Musharraf… Read the rest
Nussbaum on Rawls’s ‘Political Liberalism’
Jun 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We can argue for political principles using ethical notions that are separable from controversial religious doctrines.… Read the rest
BHL on Simone de Beauvoir
Jun 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Women around the world, in burqas or irons, are a little more free than they would have been without her.… Read the rest
Muslim Arbitration Tribunal on Forced Marriage
Jun 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bunglawala, MCB express doubts, point to Islamic Sharia Council.… Read the rest
Religious Scruple Causes Neurological Damage
Jun 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Midwife asks for help, father blocks male intern, baby is born with neurological damage.… Read the rest
Norway: Parents Charged in FGM of 5 Daughters
Jun 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The mother and father are charged because they contributed to five of their six daughters being mutilated.’… Read the rest
Abdullahi An-Naim Calls Himself a Muslim Heretic
Jun 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Human rights are universal and trump religious dictates. That’s the heresy.… Read the rest
The Reign of Thuggery
Jun 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mbeki has given Mugabe political and diplomatic support in many forums, including the UN.… Read the rest
Theory. Literary Theory. French Theory. Theory.
Jun 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Can’t understand today’s global disorders without literary theory. Literary theory the key to all things.… Read the rest
Richard Wolin on François Cusset
Jun 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A paradigm opposed to the idea of a centered and cohesive ‘self’ became the basis for identity politics. … Read the rest
