Whether a certain view is “true” or “false” seems to take a back seat to whether it is “moderate” or “extreme.”… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
It’s a myth that science and religion are incompatible 
Jun 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says the CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.… Read the rest
Somalia: football fans executed for watching world cup
Jun 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Football is an inheritance from the primitive infidels,” said al Shabaab.… Read the rest
UK: Catholic church launches PR campaign
Jun 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“It is not easy to convey the richness of the tradition of Catholic thought.” Indeed it is not.… Read the rest
Bloody Sunday: the legal arguments
Jun 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Much will depend on which evidence has survived, and what has perished. … Read the rest
Bloody Sunday report published
Jun 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“The conclusions of this report are absolutely clear. There is no doubt. There is nothing equivocal, there are no ambiguities.”… Read the rest
Murphy O’Connor reflects on child rape problem
Jun 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Maybe we have lost part of our moral and spiritual authority”. Ya think?… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo read their Mary Midgley
Jun 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The barmaid replies, but they hear not.… Read the rest
Father, brother plead guilty in Aqsa Parvez murder
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They killed her because she didn’t wear the hijab. She was 16.… Read the rest
Mark Oppenheimer on working for Templeton
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Templeton money has done a lot of good, but there is a bias.… Read the rest
Message from CFI Board of Directors
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One account of what’s been happening, and why.… Read the rest
Karl Giberson says ‘sorry’
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Notes general lack of charity in vilification of New Atheists. A handsome apology!… Read the rest
The noble and ancient tradition of moron-baiting
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ben Goldacre on Martin Gardner and some predecessors.… Read the rest
Touchdown Jesus struck by lightning
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Stumpy Jesus now squats on freeway, saluting a pair of semi-trucks.… Read the rest
Amanda Marcotte on “feminist” anti-feminists
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sarah Palin is not the first.… Read the rest
Massimo Pigliucci on Texas education and ideology
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The latest disturbing result of a long effort by right wing fundamentalists to undermine public education.… Read the rest
Hitchens on that speech of Chuck’s
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
P. Charles surrounds with every moon-faced spoon-bender, shrub-flatterer, and water-diviner within range.… Read the rest
Widen that division
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Oliver Kamm put the matter concisely and well.
Byrnes is not [at] that level*, but his views are reactionary and illiberal. They thereby illustrate a fundamental difference of values within the Left. I’m concerned to widen that division as far as I can.
Same here. I want there to be a vast gulf between the Left that opposes reactionary illiberal views and the “Left” that sucks up to them.
*The level of writing an article titled “Milosevic, prisoner of conscience.”… Read the rest
It is easy to manipulate memory
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s important to remember that.… Read the rest
