2001 UN report that advocated the ‘responsibility to protect’ was the high-water mark of the humanitarian faith.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Turkey Prosecutes Artist for PM Cartoon 
Sep 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Michael Dickinson is charged under article 125/3: ‘insulting the prime minister.’… Read the rest
EU Weakened in UN Human Rights Debates
Sep 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Support for EU is down, that of China and Russia is up. Not good.… Read the rest
Barton Gellman on Dick Cheney
Sep 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What Dick Armey told him, and whether Armey is angry about it.… Read the rest
Reiss Statements Open to Misinterpretation
Sep 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Royal Society said this was not his intention but that it ‘has led to damage to the society’s reputation.’… Read the rest
Christian Voice Makes New Grab for Attention
Sep 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
With cryptic remarks about Dawkins and the father of lies. Attention must be paid, or perhaps not.… Read the rest
Dick Armey Says Cheney Lied to Him
Sep 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Conservative Republican Armey was against the war, might have stopped it.… Read the rest
What Cheney Told Armey
Sep 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
That Saddam Hussein had personal ties to al-Qaeda and was close to miniaturizing nuclear weapons.… Read the rest
Reiss Resigns as Education Director at RS
Sep 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Royal Society reiterated: creationism has no scientific basis and should not be part of the science curriculum.… Read the rest
Dawkins to New Scientist on Reiss
Sep 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘What Reiss actually said is not a self-evidently inappropriate stance for the Royal Society to take.’… Read the rest
Royal Society Fellows Turned on Reiss
Sep 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No way an ordained minister, for whom unverified dogma is central, can present free-thinking, doubt-based scientific philosophy disinterestedly.… Read the rest
Aaronovitch on a Web of Sinister Untruths
Sep 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The MMR panic was aided by a boneheaded refusal to discriminate between better and worse arguments.… Read the rest
Criminal Sharia Judgments
Sep 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Imagine what kind of consent wives involved in domestic violence cases have given to sharia court’s jurisdiction.… Read the rest
Catholics Pitch Another ‘Persecution’ Fit
Sep 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Paint secular government as hatred of Catholics.… Read the rest
Moroccan Theologian Says Girls Can Marry at 9
Sep 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I am a confirmed theologian and I have not made this up. It is the prophet who said it before me.’… Read the rest
Malaysia: Blogger Arrested for Dissent
Sep 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Prominent anti-government campaigner accused of posting an article that insulted Islam. … Read the rest
Pope Meddles With French Secularism
Sep 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Do things differently, Ratzinger tells France.… Read the rest
Sharia Officially Adopted in UK
Sep 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rulings issued by a network of five sharia courts are enforceable with the full power of the judicial system.… Read the rest
Palin as Governor
Sep 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Palin administration puts a premium on loyalty and secrecy; she hires friends and fires critics.… Read the rest
We Need the Royal Society to Stand Firm
Sep 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Royal Society should set a fierce example of commitment to rationality but shows signs of spiritual sloppiness.… Read the rest
