If you think it couldn’t happen in the United States, you haven’t been paying attention.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Sarah Ditum on Ireland’s way with abortion 
Nov 14th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Irish government has defied public opinion and enforced an ultra-conservative constitution that places the foetus’ life on an equal footing with the woman’s.… Read the rest
Time to put pressure on Irish politicians
Nov 14th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Successive governments have steadfastly refused to introduce legislation that would allow women access to life-saving medical abortion.… Read the rest
Ireland: woman denied an abortion dies in hospital
Nov 14th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Savita Halappanavar was denied a termination despite asking for one several times following her miscarriage diagnosis because the fetus still had a heartbeat.… Read the rest
Jessica Ahlquist as an atheist hero at Skepticon
Nov 13th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s tough being an atheist in school. It helps to know there are others.… Read the rest
Shannon Rupp has a modest proposal
Nov 13th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Chilliwack school board should not say no to bible giveaways, they should say yes and charge a fee.… Read the rest
Uganda will pass anti-gay bill this year
Nov 13th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some Christian clerics at a meeting of anti-gay activists asked the speaker of parliament to pass the law as “a Christmas gift.”… Read the rest
Cairo: 2 burqa-wearing women assault Christian woman
Nov 12th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They called her an “infidel,” forcibly cut off her hair, and pushed her off the train, breaking her arm.… Read the rest
Vatican rushes to emphasize its hatred of marriage equality
Nov 12th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
An article in the Vatican newspaper declared that support for same-sex marriage is “an ideology founded on political correctness which is invading every culture of the world.”… Read the rest
ABC on the investigation of institutional child sex abuse
Nov 12th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gillard had been under pressure to act following explosive allegations by DCI Peter Cox that the Catholic Church covered up evidence involving paedophile priests.… Read the rest
Gillard announces royal commission on child sex abuse
Nov 12th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The inquiry will not be confined to the Catholic Church, but extend to all religious organisations and to children in state care, and to other institutions including schools.… Read the rest
Malala is grateful for the well-wishers
Nov 9th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She has drawn a line with her blood between barbarism and civilization, her father says.… Read the rest
Girl, 16, raped? Lower the age of consent!
Nov 7th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“In the past, especially in Mughal era, people used to marry their daughters early to save them from such atrocities.”… Read the rest
Parents say death by acid was their daughter’s destiny
Nov 7th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“There was a boy who came by on a motorcycle. She turned to look at him twice.” So they killed her.… Read the rest
Girl child marriage in Pakistan
Nov 7th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A blood feud between two tribes was settled by a Jirga that decided to hand over as many as 13 young girls to settle the dispute.… Read the rest
Violence against women in Pakistan
Nov 3rd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
As many as 2,713 cases of violence against women have been reported in southern Punjab since January 2012, a research by the Awaz Foundation Centre for Development states.… Read the rest
Neighbors quarrel, girl is decapitated
Nov 3rd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
3 boys went next door and cut the head off Farkhana, age 17.… Read the rest
Egypt: Salafi thugs assault people for “insulting Islam”
Nov 2nd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
By which they mean anything they dislike.… Read the rest
Launch of the Council of Muslims Facing Tomorrow
Nov 2nd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Journalist and activist Raheel Raza founded MFT to amplify the liberal Muslim voice.… Read the rest
Kashmir: parents kill daughter by dousing her with acid
Nov 1st, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She was 15. They saw her talking to a boy. The father beat her up, and both parents poured acid over her.… Read the rest
