Amazed and outraged that Obama is being linked to Ayers’s actions; pleased that Ayers is a good citizen.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Vatican Rejects Proposed French Ambassador 
Oct 10th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He’s gay. Previous candidate refused because he was divorced. Is France teasing Ratzinger?… Read the rest
Sudan to Chair Millennium Development Program
Oct 10th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
With support of Group of 77, China, and the OIC, Sudan government is chosen to head anti-poverty program.… Read the rest
‘Culture’ Minister: Libraries Should be Noisier
Oct 9th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Libraries not places for reading and thinking, libraries places ‘for families and joy and chatter.’… Read the rest
Christian ‘Boot Camp’ That ‘Cures’ Homosexuality
Oct 9th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It makes more sense to listen to the God who created the Universe than to my puny human emotions.’… Read the rest
Vicar Apologizes for ‘Joke’ About Tattooing Gays
Oct 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says he did not intend to cause upset or offense. See 9th commandment, vic.… Read the rest
McCain Ad: Obama ‘Not Presidential’
Oct 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Meaning what? Previous 43 were all white?… Read the rest
More Sinister Nonsense from Charlie Gere
Oct 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Condemns ‘violence’ committed by ‘those who are offended by criticisms of the freedom of speech.’… Read the rest
Sarkozy and Pope Call For ‘Positive’ Secularism
Oct 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sarkozy advocated the benefits of a secularism ‘more open to religions’; the pope seemed thrilled.… Read the rest
Iran Plans Cute New Car Designed for Women
Oct 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Will come in ‘a range of feminine colours and interior designs’ with parking and navigation aids.… Read the rest
Oliver Kamm on Charlie Gere
Oct 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Authors and publishers must be defended against an assault on free expression under the guise of sensitivity.… Read the rest
Fleischacker on the Israel-Palestine Conflict 5
Oct 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ancestral occupancy, like religion, makes for a politically dangerous source of claims to ownership.… Read the rest
Anna Politkovskaia
Oct 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Murdered two years ago today, perhaps in retribution for her work.… Read the rest
Sarah Chayse on Her Friend Malalai Kakar
Oct 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Chayse was a friend of Kakar’s and says her killing has left many in a state of despair.… Read the rest
Review of Ben Goldacre’s ‘Bad Science’
Oct 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ed Lake applauds a crusade against lazy and deceptive writing about science.… Read the rest
Claudia Roth Pierpont on Machiavelli
Oct 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Machiavelli no more invented political evil by describing it than Kinsey invented sex.… Read the rest
The Truthers’ New Friends
Oct 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The lunatics, for the most part, were running the asylum.… Read the rest
Prof Brian Winston Answers Charlie Gere
Oct 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Such confusions are the source of the idea that violence is justified by the fact that someone is offended.… Read the rest
Ruth Kelly on Opus Dei and ‘Faith’
Oct 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I think that faith is completely rational. The debate in Britain has become incredibly secularised.’… Read the rest
Pope, Carrying Gold Bauble, Disses Money
Oct 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pursuit of money pointless; building on sand; destructive influence; modern culture; God’s word.… Read the rest
