The universality of human rights remains controversial 60 years after the adoption of the UDHR.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
All in the Name of Cultural Sensitivity 
Oct 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Today free speech is seen as an inherent problem, because it can offend as well as harm.… Read the rest
Liberals Disagree
Oct 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Offending people is sometimes wrong; but no one has a right against being offended.… Read the rest
Catholics Must Mobilize to Block Women’s Freedom
Oct 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Archbishop of Cardiff warns that teenage girls might be able to salvage their own lives.… Read the rest
Salil Tripathi on Firebombing Free Speech
Oct 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Acquiescence to threats has emboldened other faiths to demand bans on plays or art they do not like.… Read the rest
From Obscure Texas Academic to London Firebomb
Oct 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The campaign against The Jewel of Medina was started not by an imam but by an American academic. … Read the rest
Cult Stud Charlie Gere Does a Stanley Fish
Oct 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No free speech, good thing too. Muslim sensitivities; culture riddled with own taboos; no wonder angry.… Read the rest
Rushdie ‘Unrepentant’ About Satanic Verses
Oct 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
His remarks are pertinent at a time when Islamists have again driven a literary figure into hiding.… Read the rest
‘Respect’ for Religion Makes Censorship Normal
Sep 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The firebomb attack on Gibson Square was an assault on one of the bravest publishers in the business.… Read the rest
Martin Rynja in Hiding, Under Police Protection
Sep 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cleric Anjem Choudhary called the book an ‘insult to the Prophet’s honour’, a capital crime under Sharia.… Read the rest
Crazed Cyclist Returns Despite Heart Condition
Sep 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He returned to cycling after ’embracing’ a Japanese hands-on healing process known as ‘reiki.’ … Read the rest
Saudi Government Calls Ismailis ‘Infidels’
Sep 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Preaches religious tolerance abroad, persecutes minorities at home.… Read the rest
DR Congo: Things Get Even Worse
Sep 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some civilians were trapped in combat zones and were killed, wounded, raped or illegally detained.… Read the rest
India: At Least 147 Killed in Temple Stampede
Sep 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Scores more were injured, many seriously, in the crush at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur.… Read the rest
Graphs on Decline of Stupid Academic Fads
Sep 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Without a big theory, you can’t pretend you have specialized training.… Read the rest
Our Elitism is Better Than Your Elitism
Sep 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Liberals object to Palin because she lacks experience and knowledge, but conservatives – er – … Read the rest
More on Malalai Kakar
Sep 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She was famous for her bravery throughout Afghanistan and had survived several assassination attempts. … Read the rest
Pakistan’s Taliban Bans ECGs for Women
Sep 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Men could get excited, women could lure men, therefore women just have to stay ill and die.… Read the rest
Interpol Slams Murder of Malalai Kakar
Sep 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Secretary General said estimated 700 police officers were killed in Afghanistan January-June.… Read the rest
Women in Afghanistan Killed for Working
Sep 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Kandahar’s MP recently narrowly survived an attempt on her life which killed her husband.… Read the rest
