Look how many interesting things you can learn from a single issue of a journal.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Iran scowls at Brazil’s offer of asylum for Ashtiani 
Aug 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Disgusting bastards.… Read the rest
Ashtiani lawyer calls for release of his relatives
Aug 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iranian lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei, who is in hiding, calls on Iranian authorities to end “hostage taking” of his wife and brother-in-law.… Read the rest
President Lula asks Iran to let Ashtiani accept
Aug 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“If she is causing problems there, we will welcome her here,” he added.… Read the rest
Brazil offers asylum to Ashtiani and her children
Aug 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lula da Silva has called on Ahmadinejad to accept the offer of asylum for Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and her children.… Read the rest
A Christian thanks god for the new atheists
Jul 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Today’s science-oriented atheists call us into right relationship with our time, and that means using all of our best information and cross-cultural experience.”… Read the rest
Hamas tightens the rules on women
Jul 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Last year Hamas tried to prevent female lawyers from appearing in court without wearing a hijab. Step by step.… Read the rest
Women in Mexico get long prison sentences for abortion
Jul 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Six women in conservative Guanajuato have been sentenced to 25 to 30 years in prison for abortions…or one miscarriage.… Read the rest
Casual sexism is misogyny
Jul 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hags, dogs, whores, bitches. How do you spot a woman-hater? By the way they talk about women.… Read the rest
Nina Power on equality as a race to the bottom
Jul 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We do a disservice to the aims of feminism if we believe that it is enough to have a job, regardless of what it is.… Read the rest
Israel: some Haredi women wear the burqa
Jul 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A few women in Beit Shemesh chose to don the burqa three years ago in a bid to “protect their modesty.”… Read the rest
It’s a mistake to libel people via Twitter
Jul 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All Ben Goldacre asks is a retraction, yet it’s not forthcoming.… Read the rest
Do alligators count as fish for Catholics?
Jul 30th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No. Do Catholics count as lunch for alligators? Yes.… Read the rest
Saira, 19, recalls attempted honour killing
Jul 30th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“My mum said, ‘He is your husband, even if he kills you we don’t care’.”… Read the rest
Sherrod plans to sue Breitbart
Jul 30th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Brent Bozell, of right-wing Media Research Center, said “I hope this champion of honesty will stop lying about Fox News.”… Read the rest
Gove welcomes “atheist” schools
Jul 29th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because he thinks a secular school is an “atheist” school.… Read the rest
UK govt response to petition to ban halal slaughter
Jul 29th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“The Government recognises the needs of certain communities” to kill animals without stunning them first.… Read the rest
Extended interview with Hitchens
Jul 29th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“I’ve only got one side of the brain that works. The other is sort of walnut-sized. I think I’d do better to stay with the essayistic form.”… Read the rest
Ron Lindsay on how to discuss religion
Jul 29th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religious truth-claims should be subject to examination and criticism, just like any other claims about reality.… Read the rest
Lauryn Oates on cultural relativism and FGM
Jul 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why do we worry so much about alienating people who hold down screaming little girls and butcher their genitals?… Read the rest
