From priests and canons but also from secularists and abuse victims.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Halal meat served without label 
Sep 22nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Halal meat is from animals whose throats have been cut while they are conscious. Some people don’t want to eat such meat; they should have the option.… Read the rest
More from pope protest – a bit of Ben Goldacre
Sep 22nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
On the lie about leaky condoms, with help from the crowd.… Read the rest
The “foiled” “plot” to “blow up” the pope
Sep 22nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There was no plot; just a mix-up between the activities “talking about” and “planning to blow up”.… Read the rest
Afghanistan: girls are worthless
Sep 22nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So they masquerade as boys, because families without boys are the objects of pity and contempt.… Read the rest
Bob Churchill on that naughty extremist protest
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It was about the Pope and the Vatican, it was not about all the people who call themselves Catholics. Yet protesters were called Catholic-haters.… Read the rest
Cops investigating Vatican bank
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Italian authorities have historically shied away from investigating the Vatican’s finances, thanks to groveling deference to the church.… Read the rest
Republicans block repeal of ‘don’t ask don’t tell’
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The vote was 56 to 43, so the 43 won. Srsly.… Read the rest
Update on the Save Ashtiani campaign
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ahmedinejad blames ‘someone in Germany’ for the uproar surrounding Ashtiani’s case. Mina Ahadi accepts the blame with pride.… Read the rest
Stephen Fry on the Daily Mail on Stephen Fry
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“In the name (it must suppose) of morality, spirituality, goodness, kindness, sweetness and honesty it intentionally, knowingly twists, distorts, misrepresents, smears and calumniates.”… Read the rest
Letter calling on UN to condemn stoning
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A government that still stones people to death in the 21st century must have no place in the UN or any other international institution or body.… Read the rest
Martin Rundkvist on the Swedish elections
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Reinfeldt is rumoured to be negotiating a deal with the Greens in order to eliminate any possibility of anti-immigration party shenanigans.… Read the rest
RSA “after new atheism” debate
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Expert” commentators Marilynne Robinson, Roger Scruton and Jonathan Rée discuss the future of the God debate; Laurie Taylor chairs.… Read the rest
More speeches from no to pope demo
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Geoffrey Robertson, Andrew Copson, clerical abuse victim Barbara Blaine. Note Ben Goldacre next to Johann, Terry Sanderson next to Copson.… Read the rest
Johann Hari at “arrest the pope” demonstration
Sep 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
People say the pope didn’t do enough about child rape. He did a lot.… Read the rest
Do public workers lose free speech rights?
Sep 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Including when they’re off duty?… Read the rest
Polly Toynbee on Ratzinger’s social call
Sep 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Holy See is not a democracy, nor a signatory to the European Convention of Human Rights, and it stands above mere democratic law.… Read the rest
UK converts to Catholicism en masse
Sep 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The pope is thrilled, the BBC is thrilled, Priss Choss and Cmilla are thrilled, the Telegraph and the Guardian are thrilled, the MCB is thrilled.… Read the rest
Catholicism is on the ropes in Belgium
Sep 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s not just the child-rape and the concealment, it’s all that from people who claim to uphold the highest moral standards.… Read the rest
