It was all a misunderstanding. Or something.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Love is a crime in Malawi 
May 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A 14-year jail sentence, with hard labour, on two gay men for being that.… Read the rest
Why Rand Paul isn’t “just a libertarian”
May 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because we live in an actual world where political philosophy can’t be separated from history and experience.… Read the rest
Pakistan: thousands of demonstrators hit the streets
May 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
To protest “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day,” by far the biggest problem facing Pakistan.… Read the rest
Bid the sun stand still
May 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority directed ISPs to block YouTube after material considered “sacrilegious” was found on it.… Read the rest
Pakistan blocks Facebook, YouTube
May 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wikipedia, Google, Bing, Yahoo, the internet, newspapers, radio, schools, conversation…… Read the rest
Johann Hari on Islamists’ victims and hypocrisy
May 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A gay Iranian film maker and a Pakistani atheist writer are told to be “discreet” and sent back to be killed.… Read the rest
PZ on Giberson on ID and “New” atheists
May 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If you think theism is a good thing, then you’re handicapped in challenging “Intelligent Design.”… Read the rest
Jerry Coyne on trusting your brain
May 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why is it always the psychics, homeopaths, and astrologers who take it in the neck when scientists attack irrationality? What about the most widespread form of irrationality?… Read the rest
Why atheism will replace religion
May 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The reasons that churches lose ground in developed countries can be summarized in market terms.… Read the rest
Academic disciplined over fruit bat paper
May 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A bad precedent for academic freedom. Pinker, Dennett and more than 2400 others sign petition calling on the university to repeal the sanctions.… Read the rest
Victims’ fury as Sean Brady refuses to resign
May 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Marie Collins notes Brady “was well aware that Brendan Smyth was free to continue abusing and he did nothing about it.”… Read the rest
Must we protect lady scientists?
May 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bats are one of the few non-human species to engage in fellatio. That statement is not sexual harassment.… Read the rest
Support the Girls Protection Act
May 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
H.R. 5137 would make it a crime to transport a minor out of the country to subject her to FGM. … Read the rest
Ritual ‘nick’ good alternative to FGM?
May 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“We don’t let people have slavery a little bit because they’re going to do it anyway.”… Read the rest
The collusion to keep women out of power
May 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The lack of women at the top of government is not about merit. It’s about power networks.… Read the rest
Joel Whitney Interviews Paul Berman
May 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In suppressing this information, Ramadan is creating a false image of the Islamist ideology as a whole.… Read the rest
Leo Igwe on Religious Persecution in Africa
May 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Leo Igwe spoke at the 47th session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights in Bajul, the Gambia, on 13 May 2010.… Read the rest
Nun demoted after abortion to save woman’s life
May 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bishop: abortion is forbidden even if it is necessary to save the woman’s life. Period.… Read the rest
BBC staff moving to Salford – call a vicar!
May 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
About 1,500 staff must go north; BBC will provide a vicar to “provide some pastoral support to the new community of London staff.”… Read the rest
