An excerpt from a book by the late scholar of international relations, on the history of the status of civilians in war.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Affirmative Action and the War 
Mar 27th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Yale Political Scientist Jim Sleeper on the complexities and contradictions of identity politics.… Read the rest
Blackburn contra Rorty
Mar 26th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If Truth and Reason are over, what about the maps and timetables you used to get here to say so?… Read the rest
The Awkward Squad Asks Sharper Questions
Mar 26th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Staging, spin, starstruck questions from US journalists, rationed information. But then Chinese and Arab journalists may have their own blinders.… Read the rest
Analysis of Impunity Agreements
Mar 26th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why would a country seek blanket immunity from the international criminal court? … Read the rest
Sauce for the Goose?
Mar 26th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Correspondents to the Guardian wonder how the US can appeal to the Geneva convention.… Read the rest
Eurosneering
Mar 26th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cowboys on one side of the pond, castrated girly pacifists on the other.… Read the rest
TV Trumps Books
Mar 25th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iran was confining, especially for a female teacher, but the students cared about the books.… Read the rest
Survey Shows Abuse of Teachers
Mar 25th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
School management often makes teachers feel it’s their own fault.… Read the rest
Ignatieff on Empire
Mar 25th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Michael Ignatieff on the complications of intervention and nation-building.… Read the rest
Exaggeration
Mar 25th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bristol’s admissions policies not so very skewed toward state school applicants after all, expert says.… Read the rest
Sectarian Slaughter in Kashmir
Mar 25th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The body-count is 24 in the latest chapter of Hindu-Muslim fight over Kashmir.… Read the rest
Free Will or Free Won’t?
Mar 24th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
David Barash reviews Freedom Evolves.… Read the rest
Competing Studies
Mar 24th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One study finds affirmative action helps education, another doesn’t.… Read the rest
Consequential versus Deontological Objections
Mar 24th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Evaluating risks is not the same as making moral choices.’… Read the rest
It Was a Joke
Mar 23rd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
New Orleans’ French Quarter won’t be re-named the Freedom Quarter after all.… Read the rest
Roxxof?? And That’s Not a Joke?
Mar 23rd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Who says capitalism is daft! Targeting aphrodisiac alcoholic drinks at yoof – a brilliant idea! Add steroids and you’ve got perfection.… Read the rest
Geneticists and the Deity
Mar 23rd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So if this God knew about cystic fibrosis, why keep it a secret? And who defines ‘respectable theologians’?… Read the rest
One Bit of Good News
Mar 23rd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anthony Julius’ new book will ‘make it impossible for art critics and curators ever again to utter the word ”transgressive” in a tone of unqualified admiration.’… Read the rest
Orwell on Iraq
Mar 23rd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bernard Crick ponders what Orwell might have thought of it all.… Read the rest
