An intellectual is someone who does not attempt to soar on the thermals of public opinion… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
New Legal Threat to School Science in US
Jul 13th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBarbara Forrest says Louisiana’s ‘Science Education Act’ is designed to slip ID in through the back door.… Read the rest
Anti-same-sex Marriage Registrar Wins Case
Jul 13th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonTribunal rules Christian registrar who refused to marry gays was discriminated against on grounds of religious beliefs.… Read the rest
BBC Does Darwin
Jul 13th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe BBC today announces a season of landmark content to mark the life and work of Darwin.… Read the rest
Bernard-Henri Lévy on Obama
Jul 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHe is the most gifted politician produced by the Democratic machine in a long time.… Read the rest
Catholic League Demands Expulsion of Student
Jul 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe UCF administration needs to act swiftly and decisively in seeing that justice is done.’… Read the rest
Bible Professor Suspended by Seminary
Jul 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonRequires faculty to pledge not to teach anything contrary to the 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Discuss the Wafer Kidnapping
Jul 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonJesus was kidnapped? Mo thought he’d just gone down the pub.… Read the rest
A Defect in the International Legal System
Jul 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSome of those charged with looking out for international law are shielding those who flout international law.… Read the rest
China and Russia Veto Zimbabwe Sanctions
Jul 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNo threat to world peace; mustn’t meddle in internal affairs.… Read the rest
Andrew Anthony Reviews Kenan Malik
Jul 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA stalwart defender of free speech, Malik is a formidable enemy of fuzzy or wishful thinking. … Read the rest
Ian McEwan on the Apocalyptic Mind
Jul 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCommon threads run between medieval and contemporary apocalyptic thought.… Read the rest
Farc Denounces ‘Betrayals’
Jul 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBetrayal of revolutionary principles ended brutal unlawful imprisonment. Shock horror.… Read the rest
Catholic League Angry at PZ Myers
Jul 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonLeague has contacted president of UM and state legislature, wants them to act quickly and decisively.… Read the rest
Catholic League is Afraid, Very Afraid
Jul 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWants extra security in Minneapolis so that Catholics ‘can worship without fear of violence.’… Read the rest
Rorty and the ‘Intellectual Self-concept’
Jul 10th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAcademics make intellectual choices in part because of what sort of intellectual they think they are.… Read the rest
Vatican Outrage at End to 16 Year Coma
Jul 10th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonEluana Englaro has been comatose for 16 years, Vatican wants that to continue.… Read the rest
Jesse Jackson Apologizes
Jul 10th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAccused Obama of ‘talking down to black people,’ expressed desire to cut his nuts off. Tho thorry.… Read the rest
Atheist Soldier Sues Pentagon for Discrimination
Jul 10th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSome former soldiers say the Pentagon tacitly encourages evangelical proselytizing to create a ‘godly army.’… Read the rest