Harris entirely evades philosophical criticism of his positions, on the simple ground that he finds metaethics “boring.”… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Supreme Court justice misunderstood tax form 
Feb 3rd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Clarence Thomas didn’t report his wife’s salary from the Heritage Foundation “due to a misunderstanding of the filing instructions.”… Read the rest
Women just don’t understand the offside rule
Feb 3rd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They haven’t got the brain cells, you see.… Read the rest
Hey kids, let’s redefine rape!
Feb 2nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No broken bones? Pff, that’s not rape. No abortion for you!… Read the rest
Azar Majedi to the people of Egypt
Feb 2nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
As one who has struggled for human rights for years.… Read the rest
Bangladesh: teenage girl whipped to death
Feb 2nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She was 15. A village court in Shariatpur sentenced her to 100 lashes for having an affair with a married man.… Read the rest
Archbish Dolan rejoices at theocratic grip on hospitals
Feb 2nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
President of US Conference of Catholic Bishops sets out plans to dictate laws to Congress.… Read the rest
Catholic Health Association says bishops rule
Feb 2nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bishops have the authority, so if they say a hospital must let a woman die, that’s how it is.… Read the rest
Kenan Malik on Islamists, secular radicals, and dictators
Feb 2nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What the demonstrators in Cairo and Tunis have been demanding is not an Islamic state, but a more open, democratic society.… Read the rest
Mubarak should model himself on Sarah Palin
Feb 1st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We are with whatever CNN says we should be with.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo lament scriptural ignorance
Feb 1st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, as god said somewhere.… Read the rest
Meeting David Kato
Feb 1st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He was a man of never-ending ideas and someone who managed to find humor in the midst of his struggles.… Read the rest
Military chaplains still allowed to be homophobic
Feb 1st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Whew, what a relief; repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell will not mean chaplains have to give up their religious belief that gays are ick.… Read the rest
It’s an uprising, it must be good
Jan 31st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Muslim Brotherhood pours gasoline on grievances, calls it water, then stands back in feigned surprise when the flames leap higher.… Read the rest
Frances Fox Piven defies Glenn Beck
Jan 31st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Glenn Beck defies sane people.… Read the rest
UK “laughing stock” libel laws need reform
Jan 31st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anyone of any nationality can at present sue in the British courts as long as they can prove they have a reputation to defend in the UK.… Read the rest
Under 15% of Wikipedia contributors are women
Jan 31st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Women are less willing to assert their opinions in public.” Well if that’s true they should get over it!… Read the rest
Stephen Green is a male supremacist
Jan 31st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Surprise surprise; he’s a reactionary Christian who prates of “Christian values”; of course he thinks women are supposed to obey men.… Read the rest
Pastor at Kato’s funeral tells gays to repent
Jan 31st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anglican pastor launched into a homophobic tirade, shocking the dozens of gay men and women as well as foreign diplomats in attendance.… Read the rest
Pharmacy board to pharmacist: no need to do your job
Jan 31st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So the woman was bleeding; big deal. The pharmacist “suspected” an abortion somewhere in the picture, and that’s what counts.… Read the rest
