Barring Wilders is tantamount to buckling to implicit blackmail by a small gang of contemptibles.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Bunglawala on the Fatwa and Geert Wilders 
Feb 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Calls to ban Rushdie’s book were wrong; could Wilders be another stick to beat Muslims with?… Read the rest
Kenan Malik Explodes Fatwa Myths
Feb 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The controversy was political, not all Muslims were offended, a plural society needs free expression.… Read the rest
Rwanda’s Move Into Congo Fuels Suspicion
Feb 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Quotes Alison Des Forges, HRW researcher and Rwanda expert, killed in plane crash yesterday.… Read the rest
Susan Jacoby on Darwin the Disturber
Feb 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘People say natural selection is ok for human bodies but not for brain or behavior,’ says Helena Cronin… Read the rest
How Casey Luskin Gets Lucy Wrong
Feb 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Well, it starts with the bones…… Read the rest
When Policy Makers Listen to AIDS Denialists
Feb 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Denialism offers a false debate that policy makers can use to evade caring for people affected by AIDS. … Read the rest
The Indy on the ‘Outrage’ Over Hari’s Article
Feb 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sections of central Kolkata have been paralysed by protests for much of the past week.… Read the rest
Johann Hari Responds to the Riots
Feb 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He takes it all back. The hell he does; he stands by every word of it.… Read the rest
Saudi Woman Sentenced for Being Raped
Feb 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One year prison term, 100 lashes; she ‘confessed’ she had ‘a forced sexual intercourse.’… Read the rest
Court Rules Autism Not Caused by Vaccines
Feb 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Decision a severe blow to ‘grass-roots movement’ that claims vacs have caused surge in autism.… Read the rest
Darwin Day
Feb 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For those unable to get to an event, Darwin’s complete publications and 20,000 private papers are available online.… Read the rest
Calcutta: Two Arrested for ‘Offending Islam’
Feb 11th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Charged with ‘hurting the religious feelings’ of Muslims by publishing Johann Hari article on religion.… Read the rest
Statesman Editor, Publisher Arrested
Feb 11th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
On the charge of ‘insulting the religious belief of a community’ following street protests.… Read the rest
Women Resist Sri Ram Sena
Feb 11th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women urges Indian women to defy the bullies.… Read the rest
Woman Uses New Forced Marriage Law
Feb 11th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Police hope this sends a strong message to women that they are not alone, there are people who can help them.… Read the rest
Devika Bhat Cheers on the Loose Women
Feb 11th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A delightfully irreverent response to a po-faced and humourless organisation. … Read the rest
First Tell a Racist ‘Joke’ Then Unapologize
Feb 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I have been asked to send this apology for my earlier e-mail. I am sorry that it was received in a negative manner.’… Read the rest
Theocrats Push Parental Rights Amendment
Feb 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Including the right to deny medical treatment, force marriage, keep out of school?… Read the rest
‘Start the Week’ on the Fatwa and Free Speech
Feb 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Kenan Malik talks about liberal self-censorship, Tariq Madood talks about ‘hurt.’… Read the rest
