If we were disembodied on the Internet, we wouldn’t be able to see what was relevant and not relevant.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Just Pay No Attention 
Dec 1st, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Catholics have been perfecting the art of ignoring the Vatican for centuries. … Read the rest
Schools Sued for Not Using This Garbage
Nov 30th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Christians sue California schools for not using execrable Bob Jones U-published ‘books’.… Read the rest
‘White Flight’ From Schools That Are Too Good
Nov 30th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Schools ‘too’ academically rigorous, narrowly focused on such subjects as math and science.… Read the rest
Secularism Without Secularization
Nov 30th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The future of secular societies depends upon the cultivation of secular culture.… Read the rest
Courtroom Bombs Raise Fears of Islamist State
Nov 30th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Police, judges and lawyers told to ‘stop upholding man-made laws which go against Islam.’… Read the rest
Royal Society President Warns of Fundamentalism
Nov 30th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Such is the influence of groups that ignore scientific evidence that free inquiry is at risk.… Read the rest
Forget Science and History, Learn to Feel
Nov 30th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Schools to teach emotional literacy. Teachers feel unthrilled.… Read the rest
Philosopher Alain Finkielkraut Apologizes
Nov 30th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In Ha’aretz interview Finkielkraut underlined the lack of identification to France amongst many immigrants. … Read the rest
Carl Rollyson on Lillian Hellman
Nov 29th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Every biographer of Hellman must sooner or later come to terms with the fabrications in Hellman’s memoirs.’… Read the rest
Simon Blackburn on Donald Davidson
Nov 29th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In many circles he was something like a one-man church. … Read the rest
Johann Hari Reviews Paul Berman
Nov 29th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Not only an alumnus of 1968 rebellion; he is the keeper of its yearbook and its funeral director.… Read the rest
Nicholas Lezard on ‘Urne Burial’
Nov 29th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Neither parochial, nor philistine, nor hegemonic, nor mediocre.… Read the rest
Roger Pearson’s Voltaire
Nov 29th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The prototype of the committed intellectual; a lot more fun than many of his successors in the genus.… Read the rest
Pamela Bone on Ian McEwan
Nov 29th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Many people confuse criticism of religion – especially Islam – with racism.’… Read the rest
ID Becoming Mandatory in Kansas?
Nov 29th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Legislators micromanage university.… Read the rest
Ni Putes Ni Soumises Organizes Demonstration
Nov 29th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Against violence against women and the torching of one particular woman.… Read the rest
The Rapture Index
Nov 28th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Oh no! Earthquakes, volcanoes, the Mark of the Beast. The end is nigh.… Read the rest
Umberto Eco Points out the Obvious
Nov 28th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Many people find religion consoling. Who knew?!… Read the rest
‘Honour’ Killing Finished With Abortion
Nov 28th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Father, brothers kill boyfriend, then send pregnant survivor to Spain for late abortion.… Read the rest
