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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Pakistan Votes to Amend Rape Laws *

Nov 15th, 2006 | Filed by

A woman is raped every two hours and gang-raped every eight hours in Pakistan, according to HRC.… Read the rest



Africans React to Gay Marriage Bill *

Nov 15th, 2006 | Filed by

In Uganda, Faridah Kenyini said South Africa had set a good example for rest of continent.… Read the rest



Press Releases from HRC of Pakistan *

Nov 15th, 2006 | Filed by

Lots of news there.… Read the rest



Mutual Contempt is a Sacred Liberty *

Nov 15th, 2006 | Filed by

Brown should not be seen to promote, by force of law, some dubious concept of a ‘mainstream.’… Read the rest



Fears for Lesbian Facing Deportation to Uganda *

Nov 14th, 2006 | Filed by

She is being deported tonight, despite facing persecution and a jail sentence of up to seven years.… Read the rest



Carlin Romano on Philosophical Detective Novels *

Nov 14th, 2006 | Filed by

Combine profundities of truth and meaning with fast-paced narrative ratiocination and be another Eco.… Read the rest



Michael Dirda on Robert Irwin on Orientalism *

Nov 14th, 2006 | Filed by

‘Irwin has, to use his own highest accolade, tried to get things right.’… Read the rest



South Africa Legalizes Same-sex Marriage *

Nov 14th, 2006 | Filed by

SA constitution the first in the world to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual preference. … Read the rest



Is Feminism a War Against Boys? *

Nov 14th, 2006 | Filed by

No: the ‘war against boys’ is a war against feminism.… Read the rest



Clive James Interview *

Nov 13th, 2006 | Filed by

Peace and freedom not natural states, but a construction that needs constant maintenance.… Read the rest



NWFP Passes Taleban-like Law *

Nov 13th, 2006 | Filed by

Musharraf denounced a similar bill last year as a breach of fundamental human rights. … Read the rest



A C Grayling on Religion’s Last Bloody Fling *

Nov 13th, 2006 | Filed by

Media amplification makes religion seem ubiquitous, but it’s fighting a rearguard action.… Read the rest



Ralf Dahrendorf Asks Why Religion Has Returned *

Nov 13th, 2006 | Filed by

Enlightened countries have become unsure of their values, even of the Enlightenment itself.… Read the rest



Religion and Politics: Overlapping Magisteria? *

Nov 13th, 2006 | Filed by

We should not feel obliged to agree with people whose reasons for their political views are religious. … Read the rest



State Church Dangerous in Fundamentalist Era *

Nov 12th, 2006 | Filed by

Religious leaders sit ex officio in the legislature only in the UK and Iran.… Read the rest



Jesus and Mo on Lying *

Nov 12th, 2006 | Filed by

Moses gets thirsty.… Read the rest



Help Ben Goldacre With Freedom of Inf Request *

Nov 12th, 2006 | Filed by

It’s about those fish oil pills again.… Read the rest



Nick Cohen is Uneasy About Smug Sociologists *

Nov 12th, 2006 | Filed by

Who say fellow citizens are addled by ‘moral panics’ which they are too sophisticated to fall for. … Read the rest



Discussion of Women and Veiling *

Nov 12th, 2006 | Filed by

Radio Netherlands has an exchange of views.… Read the rest



Grayling on Mandatory Religion *

Nov 11th, 2006 | Filed by

Offers the archbishops a lesson in semantics.… Read the rest