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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Australian Cleric Likens Women to ‘Meat’ *

Oct 26th, 2006 | Filed by

‘If you take out uncovered meat and place it outside and the cats come and eat it, whose fault is it?’… Read the rest



Wangari Maathai on ‘Fresh Air’ *

Oct 26th, 2006 | Filed by

Founder of the Green Belt Movement, which has planted over thirty million trees across Kenya.… Read the rest



Fury in Australia at ‘Uncovered meat’ Comments *

Oct 26th, 2006 | Filed by

‘I had only intended to protect women’s honour,’ Sheikh Hilali said. Women not much mollified.… Read the rest



Zanzibar Adopts HIV/AIDS Policy *

Oct 25th, 2006 | Filed by

Parliament rejected conservative Muslim demands to close bars and ban skimpy clothing.… Read the rest



Bradford Council Advises Against Niqab in Schools *

Oct 25th, 2006 | Filed by

Ann Cryer, Trevor Phillips urge Azmi not to take her appeal through courts.… Read the rest



Religion is not a Learning Aid *

Oct 25th, 2006 | Filed by

If we think universities should be spaces of free debate and enquiry, why not schools too?… Read the rest



Books Do Furnish a Room *

Oct 25th, 2006 | Filed by

Scott McLemee on coffee-table books that are not merely decorative.… Read the rest



Mark Lilla and Richard Sennett Open Letter *

Oct 24th, 2006 | Filed by

To the Anti-Defamation League, on the cancellation of a talk by Tony Judt at Polish consulate.… Read the rest



Hitchens on Tony Judt’s Persecution Complex *

Oct 24th, 2006 | Filed by

We have a right to express an opinion, but not at a meeting of a private group that disagrees.… Read the rest



In a Sea of Uncertainty, We Grab at Anchors *

Oct 24th, 2006 | Filed by

Like other subtle biases, anchors influence people at an unconscious level.… Read the rest



Jesus and Mo Have a Guest *

Oct 24th, 2006 | Filed by

He made it at last.… Read the rest



On the Right to Give Offence *

Oct 24th, 2006 | Filed by

Believers in absolute truth revealed by God are unlikely to allow pestiferous notions of freedom of speech.… Read the rest



Turkey Struggles to End ‘Honour’ Killings *

Oct 24th, 2006 | Filed by

Issue is complicated by the fact that the murders are associated mainly with the Kurdish minority.… Read the rest



9/11 Doubter to Leave Post at BYU *

Oct 24th, 2006 | Filed by

Physics instructor belongs to group who believe US orchestrated the 9/11 attacks.… Read the rest



Kenan Malik on What Muslims Want *

Oct 24th, 2006 | Filed by

Politicians prefer to see them as people who can be politically engaged only by other Muslims.… Read the rest



Science Rallies to Save Tripoli Six *

Oct 23rd, 2006 | Filed by

Time not only to save the six, but also to defend a common vision of science and law in establishing the truth.… Read the rest



Anti-gay Catholic Group Harassing a Priest *

Oct 23rd, 2006 | Filed by

Catholic Truth, a right-wing newsletter, trying to out an Edinburgh priest.… Read the rest



Trevor Phillips: Veil Debate Could Start Riots *

Oct 23rd, 2006 | Filed by

‘This is not what anyone intended and it is the last thing Britain needs.’… Read the rest



Shazia Mirza Off to India to Joke About Veils *

Oct 23rd, 2006 | Filed by

The British Council is sending her for bridge-building purposes.… Read the rest



Might Secularism be a Good Idea? *

Oct 23rd, 2006 | Filed by

Is it time for Britain, as a state, to turn secular? … Read the rest