‘Reality is irrelevant or reactionary, and in true post-modern style, all that matters is the way we talk about it.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Mario Pisani on Eagleton on Meaning of Life 
Mar 6th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He borrows most from two thinkers, ancient and contemporary respectively: Aristotle and Julian Baggini.… Read the rest
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is no Fundamentalist
Mar 6th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hitchens wonders why Garton Ash and Buruma call her that.… Read the rest
David Thompson on Criticisms of Hirsi Ali
Mar 6th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Laila Lalami’s argument is far more tendentious and evasive than those she critiques.… Read the rest
Women Arrested in Tehran
Mar 5th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For solidarity with five women on trial for protest against laws that discriminate against women.… Read the rest
HRW Protests Trial of Women in Tehran
Mar 5th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Iran is prosecuting women for peacefully protesting laws that discriminate against them.’… Read the rest
Iraqi Feminist in London Targeted by Islamists
Mar 5th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘With the permission of Great God, we will kill you,’ the email told Houzan Mahmoud. … Read the rest
Central Council of Ex-Muslims in Germany
Mar 5th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mina Ahadi, 40 others founded Council to represent Germany’s secular-minded Muslim immigrants.… Read the rest
Seminar March 8 London on Women’s Rights
Mar 5th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And Islamic and religious laws. Maryam Namazie, Taslima Nasrin. Admission free.… Read the rest
Julian Baggini on Fair Trade
Mar 5th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Free trade is neither good nor bad; it all depends on how consumers exercise their freedom.… Read the rest
Support for Lester Bill Against Forced Marriage
Mar 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Law will enshrine powerful rights for victims who have been compelled to marry against their will.… Read the rest
Review of Baggini’s Welcome to Everytown
Mar 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The English feel stronger as a collective, with a philosophy of ‘conservative communitarianism.’… Read the rest
Sandra Harding Has a New Book Out
Mar 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Harding problematizes the claim to universality that Western science rests upon.’… Read the rest
Rice Announces 3 Delegates to UN CSW
Mar 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lisa Guillermin Gable, Darlene Bramon, Pia Francesca de Solenni.… Read the rest
Interview with Pia Francesca de Solenni
Mar 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Winner of Vatican prize points to ‘Christian feminism’ as antidote to secular feminism.… Read the rest
Man Sells Daughter to Settle Poker Debt
Mar 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She has asked authorities to save her from being handed over to a much older relative.… Read the rest
Woman Sues Husband for Selling her Kidney
Mar 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He beat her, she miscarried, he took her to hospital and sold her kidney to buy a tractor.… Read the rest
Japanese PM Questions Coercion of Sex Slaves
Mar 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Historians believe at least 200,000 young women were forced to serve in army brothels.… Read the rest
Japanese Govt Angry at US Sex Slave Bill
Mar 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Many ‘comfort women’ were Korean, but some were Chinese, Philippine and Indonesian.… Read the rest
South Korea Angry at Japan’s Denial
Mar 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Foreign Minister said Abe’s remarks were ‘not helpful’ and the truth must be faced. … Read the rest
