Women’s rights or multiculturalism? You can’t have both, Johann Hari notes; you have to choose.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Stephen Law on Clarity and Bullshit 
Apr 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There’s a story in which the Enlightenment version of reason is oppressive and leads to the Holocaust.… Read the rest
The Jesus Light
Apr 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Each of us is aware of a light, of something fundamentally good. This something is…Jesus. … Read the rest
Arbil: Demonstration Against Stoning
Apr 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Of Du’a Khalil Aswad, 17 year old Kurdish girl murdered by public stoning after running away from home. … Read the rest
Hundreds of Men Watch as Du’a is Stoned to Death
Apr 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Relatives stripped her, beat and kicked her, and killed her by crushing her body with rocks and concrete blocks.… Read the rest
Sign the Petition Against Stoning of Women
Apr 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Add your voice to those calling for change in Kurdistan and Iraq and for an end to the oppression of ‘honour’. … Read the rest
Hey Angels Are Real, Says Telegraph
Apr 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why should there not be pure intellects, with no admixture of matter, who are located wherever they act?… Read the rest
‘All I Remember is Beating and Subjugation’
Apr 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Many girls in immigrant communities are trapped in rigid patriarchal structures and live in fear of their families.’… Read the rest
Sharaf Hjältar Combats ‘Honour’ Violence
Apr 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Swedish group tries to change the patriarchal view of women still held by many men.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Worry About Bigotophobia
Apr 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
First they came for the bigots, but I did not speak out, for I was not a bigot.… Read the rest
Barmaid Asks What Price Gender
Apr 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Leviticus 27 says a man is worth 50 shekels, a woman is worth 30. Because?… Read the rest
Hundreds of ‘Bad Hijab’ Women Arrested in Iran
Apr 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thousands cautioned. Shopkeeper told to saw off the breasts of mannequins.… Read the rest
Johann Hari Puts Zizek in Pseud’s Corner
Apr 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Complex manner in which he expresses himself does not imply that his thought is itself subtle or complex.… Read the rest
Mstislav Rostropovich
Apr 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thanks for all the music.… Read the rest
Hitchens on Mormonism
Apr 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Like Muhammad, Smith could produce divine revelations at short notice and often simply to suit himself.… Read the rest
Teaching Creationism Blocks Education
Apr 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘What the creationist alternative does to students is to intercept and deaden curiosity.’… Read the rest
Many ‘Honour Killings’ of Kurdish Women
Apr 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
UNAMI said Iraq’s three Kurdish provinces have reported dozens of women killed for ‘immoral conduct.’… Read the rest
Man Signed Pledge not to Harm his Sister
Apr 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So she left police protection; brother ‘shot her in cold blood on their way home.’… Read the rest
Extract from ‘God is not Great’
Apr 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The argument with faith is the foundation and origin of all arguments.… Read the rest
Public Official Dedicates ‘Reflexology’ Path
Apr 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Walking on uneven stones is believed to stimulate acupressure points in the feet.’… Read the rest
