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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Katha Pollitt on Nazia Quazi *

Jan 25th, 2010 | Filed by

An adult woman who made the mistake of setting foot in Saudi Arabia; her father is holding her prisoner.… Read the rest



HRW to Canadian Embassy in Riyadh *

Jan 25th, 2010 | Filed by

We look forward to your cooperation in this very urgent matter.… Read the rest



The Theological Language of Punishment and Mercy *

Jan 24th, 2010 | Filed by

Either God is punitive and interventionist, or as capricious as nature and so absent as to be effectively nonexistent.… Read the rest



Homeopathy By Very Very Very Big Numbers *

Jan 24th, 2010 | Filed by

How much arnica is in Boots-brand 84 arnica homeopathic 30C Pills for £5.09?… Read the rest



Xians Vow to Get Culture Minister Out of Her Job *

Jan 24th, 2010 | Filed by

They say she is betraying Christ.… Read the rest



Islamist Cleric to Tour UK Universities *

Jan 24th, 2010 | Filed by

He has described Jews as ‘monkeys and pigs’ and universities are ‘plural societies’ therefore…something.… Read the rest



Al-Qaeda Has Trained Female Suicide Bombers *

Jan 24th, 2010 | Filed by

They believe in gender equality.… Read the rest



‘Religious Man’ Allowed to Commit Assault *

Jan 24th, 2010 | Filed by

Cherie Booth let a guy who broke someone’s jaw in a fight to go free because he is ‘a religious man.’… Read the rest



Iraqi Interior Ministry Still Backs ‘Bomb Detector’ *

Jan 24th, 2010 | Filed by

Despite total lack of actual detection capability.… Read the rest



Obama Disputes Supreme Court Ruling *

Jan 23rd, 2010 | Filed by

Conservative majority said limits violated ‘corporations’ constitutional right to free speech.’… Read the rest



Jim McCormack Arrested on Suspicion of Fraud *

Jan 23rd, 2010 | Filed by

Sold ‘bomb detectors’ to Iraq for $40,000 apiece.… Read the rest



Phil Plait on the Arrest of Jim McCormick *

Jan 23rd, 2010 | Filed by

Say it twice: he has been arrested on suspicion of fraud. … Read the rest



150 Bodies Found in Nigeria After Religious Riots *

Jan 23rd, 2010 | Filed by

Many of the bodies found in Kuru Karama had massive burns, other victims were hacked to death or shot. … Read the rest



McCormick Planned Improvements to ADE-651 *

Jan 23rd, 2010 | Filed by

‘The machine does look a little primitive. We are working on a new model that has flashing lights.’… Read the rest



Paula Kirby on Suffering and Significance *

Jan 23rd, 2010 | Filed by

Theologians start with their desired answer – God is good! – then contort themselves to make the evidence fit.… Read the rest



No More Jesus Rifles *

Jan 23rd, 2010 | Filed by

‘It is not the policy of the Department of Defense to put religious references of any kind on its equipment.’… Read the rest



Wall St Journal Gloats Over Freedom of Bribery *

Jan 22nd, 2010 | Filed by

‘Corporations are entitled to the same right that individuals have to spend money on political speech.’… Read the rest



National Association of Muslim Police Protest *

Jan 22nd, 2010 | Filed by

Stigma, communities, faith, black, ethnic, wrong to blame Islam.… Read the rest



Nick Cohen on Chomsky *

Jan 22nd, 2010 | Filed by

Chomsky doesn’t seem to get the nature of clerical fascism.… Read the rest



Jesus and Mo on Science and Religion *

Jan 22nd, 2010 | Filed by

Religious scientists do exist, as do pedophile priests. That’s simply a fact.… Read the rest