‘There is no doubt that she makes a fortune saying very serious, cruel, show-stopping things to people in distress.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Disgrace: Is the Shunning of Watson Justified? 
Oct 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dawkins, Blakemore, Wilson say no; politicians worry about aiding racist fringe.… Read the rest
She Brought the Killing on Herself, Husband Says
Oct 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A man who murdered his wife and three children in an ‘honour’ killing feels ‘totally justified in what he did.’… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on Infant Survival Statistics
Oct 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Science is about clarity and transparency, especially for public policy – such as abortion law.… Read the rest
Wichita Disenchanted With Political Evangelicals
Oct 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Secular sociologists say evangelicals’ changing view of society reflects their changing place in it. … Read the rest
BJP Dismisses Gujarat Riot Claims
Oct 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Video footage shows BJP politicians describing how they carried out the violence against Muslims.… Read the rest
Olivier Roy on Secularism and Islam
Oct 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Today’s religious revival – fundamentalist or spiritualistic – thrives on the loss of cultural identity.’… Read the rest
Polly Toynbee on Women’s Same Old Enemies
Oct 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All the Abrahamic faiths find the key to morality in keeping women and their fertility under control. … Read the rest
No Free School Bus Pass Without Baptism
Oct 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why ‘faith’ schools are such a good idea.… Read the rest
Haleh Esfandiari on the Crackdown in Iran
Oct 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It has criminalized the activities of academics, journalists, and activists for women’s and human rights.… Read the rest
Westboro Baptist Church Sued Over Funeral
Oct 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The case raises difficult free speech issues.… Read the rest
Johann Hari Talks to Mina Ahadi
Oct 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘From the age of 12 onwards I was basically not allowed to leave the house. I hated it.’… Read the rest
Iran Closes Cafés in Bookshops
Oct 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Critics suspect the move is aimed at restricting the gathering of intellectuals and educated young people.… Read the rest
Hitchens Defends the Term ‘Islamofascism’
Oct 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Both movements are based on a cult of violence that exalts death and despises the life of the mind.… Read the rest
Watson Retires From Cold Spring Harbor Lab
Oct 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The laboratory suspended him after his comments appeared. … Read the rest
Grayling on Public Duties v Religious Scruples
Oct 24th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When individuals cannot allow their religious loyalties to be trumped by their public responsibilities, they should resign.… Read the rest
‘Return of the Muslim Other’
Oct 24th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Soumaya Ghannoushi is nostalgic for the ‘tradition of post-colonial studies and radical critique of Orientalism.’… Read the rest
Congo’s Rape Fields Will Thrive
Oct 24th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In Eastern DRC, it is easier to get raped or killed than jailed for breaking the law.… Read the rest
Teacher’s Murder Increases Fear in NW Pakistan
Oct 24th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If such things can happen in broad daylight, then what safety is there for us teachers?’ asked Uzaira Afridi.… Read the rest
‘Saint’ Faked His Stigmata With Carbolic Acid
Oct 24th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Except he was canonized by the pope, and the pope is infallible, so that can’t be right.… Read the rest
