Abstract thinking is not something our brains are designed to be good at or to enjoy. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Interrogation Debate Split Bush White House 
May 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The CIA got very nervous; some Bush officials got nervous; lots of people got nervous.… Read the rest
The Madrasa Problem in Pakistan
May 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The state has forgotten children and the mullahs have not.… Read the rest
Peshawar: Woman Murdered for Singing
May 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ayman Udas’s family believed it was sinful for a woman to perform on television. … Read the rest
Theo Hobson Wants to Be a Christian, But
May 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But he doesn’t want all the pesky baggage.… Read the rest
Afghan Men Surprised by Protest at Marriage Law
May 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It was unexpected because already 99 per cent of Afghan women only leave the house with their husband’s permission.’… Read the rest
Tariq Ramadan Accused of Homophobia Again
May 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And sexism – tells women to keep their eyes fixed always on the ground.… Read the rest
UAE Torture-tape Prince Accused of More Attacks
May 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
New tapes may show police taking part in Issa’s attacks; some victims believed to be Sudanese immigrants.… Read the rest
Iran Has Executed Delara Derabi
May 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Early Friday morning Darabi made a desperate phone call to her parents, saying she could see the hangman’s noose. … Read the rest
Amnesty International Outraged at Execution
May 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Darabi was executed despite having been given a two-month stay of execution by the Head of the Judiciary on 19 April. … Read the rest
EU Condemns Execution of Darabi
May 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
International agreements prohibit death sentences being carried out on minors. … Read the rest
No One Can Escape Religion, No One At All
May 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘While science, logic and reason are on the side of the nonreligious, the cold, hard facts are just so cold and hard.’… Read the rest
Pitcairn Island’s History of Sex Abuse of Girls
May 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It’s ingrained in the mentality of the men in Pitcairn that this is an OK thing to do.’… Read the rest
Working in a Sexist Environment
May 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Calling sexism a joke or ‘edgy’ or a way to stick it to the suits is not good enough.… Read the rest
Melanie Phillips Says Judge Jones was Wrong
May 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The decision in Kitzmiller v Dover Area School District was wrong; ID ‘comes out of science.’… Read the rest
Irish Constitution Requires Offence of Blasphemy
May 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The blasphemy has to be intentional. So that’s all right then.… Read the rest
Rosary-chanters Shut Down Euthanasia Debate
May 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Protesters shouted that euthanasia was state-sponsored murder; Gardai were called, did not intervene.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on Swine Flu and Hype
Apr 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Media pundit-seekers wanted him to say it’s all hype. But it isn’t. But they wanted him to say it is.… Read the rest
Tough Enough?
Apr 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The claim of courage in the commission of deeply immoral acts is to be deplored and not admired.… Read the rest
Kristof Asks: Is Rape Serious?
Apr 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The refusal to test rape kits seems a throwback to antediluvian skepticism about rape as a traumatic crime. … Read the rest
