‘My administration will not deny facts. We will be guided by them.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Switzerland Not Eager to Introduce Sharia 
Jan 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Social anthropologist wrote a paper suggesting the idea, wiser heads prevailed.… Read the rest
Study Finds Obama Effect Lifts Black Test-takers
Jan 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Performance gap all but disappeared when the exam was administered after the election.… Read the rest
Taliban Threatens Swat Nightly on the Radio
Jan 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Taliban enforcer announces newly proscribed ‘un-Islamic’ activities, names people killed for disobeying.… Read the rest
Obama Makes al Qaeda Desperate
Jan 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bush was the perfect recruitment poster, Obama not so much.… Read the rest
Vatican Accuses Obama of Arrogance
Jan 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religious dictator chosen by groupuscule of priests accuses democratically elected president of arrogance.… Read the rest
Moyers Talks to David Sirota and Tom Franks
Jan 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
About what they think Obama must accomplish to bring real ‘change’ to Washington. … Read the rest
Reasons for Hope and Caution
Jan 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It is too easy to dismiss the symbolism of this particular election.’… Read the rest
John McWhorter on Obama’s Second Language
Jan 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Yes we can’ was couched in a Black English intonation – partly church, maybe even a dash of street.… Read the rest
Bailout is a Windfall to Banks
Jan 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We’re not going to change our credit policies to accommodate the needs of the public sector.’… Read the rest
Feel Entitled Much?
Jan 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Caroline Kennedy didn’t have to campaign in the same way that an unknown person has to.… Read the rest
Shami Chakrabarti: Defend Human Rights Act
Jan 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Even the most enlightened president is best served by good friends holding him to his word.… Read the rest
Steven Pinker on Oaths and Putative Split Verbs
Jan 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In his legal opinions, Chief Justice Roberts has altered quotations to conform to his notions of grammaticality.… Read the rest
Catholic Group Helps Abusive Mother
Jan 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Right-wing Catholic group helped the mother get an injunction, keep children 8 more years.… Read the rest
Priests Accused of Collection Plate Diversion
Jan 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gambling in Vegas, rare coins, taking mistress on expensive holidays, amen.… Read the rest
Obama Lifts Restrictions on Abortion Funding
Jan 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Will lift restrictions on US government funding for groups that provide abortion services or counseling abroad.… Read the rest
Scientists Welcome Obama’s Words
Jan 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bush administration sought to suppress the findings of many of the government’s scientific agencies. … Read the rest
Illinois Judge Voids ‘Moment of Silence’ in School
Jan 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The plain language of the statute suggests an intent to force the introduction of the concept of prayer into the schools.’… Read the rest
Thousands of Americans Regularly ‘Detox’
Jan 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Le Jardin Day Spa has a 30-minute ‘foot detox,’ which involves placing feet in a saltwater bath.… Read the rest
Obama Issues Close Guantánamo Order
Jan 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Signed orders shutting the network of secret prisons and closing Guantánamo detention camp within a year.… Read the rest
