‘Mars moving close to Saturn causes the headache. When Mars leaves, the situation will ease.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Another Turk on Trial for Saying Something 
Jun 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Singer charged with attempting to turn the public against military service, contrary to Article 318.… Read the rest
Edzard Ernst: Homeopathy Putting Lives at Risk
Jun 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
World’s only professor of complementary med says homoeopathic treatments must be more regulated. … Read the rest
Steven Pinker Interviwed
Jun 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What might feel like freewill from the inside is not some mysterious violation of the laws of physics.… Read the rest
Judith Shapiro on Anti-intellectualism
Jun 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Many who advocate teaching creationism do so in the name of providing a ‘balanced’ curriculum. … Read the rest
Health Report from Zimbabwe
Jun 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Most of these fractures will have been sustained in attempts to defend the face and upper body from violent blows with a weapon such as a heavy stick or iron bar.… Read the rest
Zimbabwe: Statement on Violence and Torture
Jun 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights reports dramatic escalation in organised violence and torture. … Read the rest
Damages for ‘Injury to Feelings’
Jun 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Muslim woman awarded £4,000 after owner of a hair salon refused to employ her because she wears hijab.… Read the rest
Iran Police Close Hairdressers, Clothes Shops
Jun 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Police said 32 clothes shops and hairdressers in Tehran were shut down so far.… Read the rest
Another ‘Right to Wear Symbol of Faith’ Fight
Jun 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bangle joins niqab, jilbab, cross.… Read the rest
BC Tribunal Hears Complaint Against Maclean’s
Jun 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nothing wrong with Steyn expressing his view if he does not cross the line with respect to Section 7-1.… Read the rest
Liveblogging the BC Human Rights Trial
Jun 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Those hauled before the human rights tribunal howl about censorship.” Well, yes. It’s not crying wolf if the wolf is in fact at your throat…… Read the rest
Margaret Talbot on Irene Pepperberg and Alex
Jun 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In the past decade, dozens of studies have buttressed Pepperberg’s claims about avian intelligence.… Read the rest
Pitching a Huge Fit About Nothing
Jun 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Conservative Christians angry that a gay couple used religious ritual at civil service.… Read the rest
C of E in Meltdown Over Women and Gays
Jun 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No women! No gays! No women! Arrgh!… Read the rest
Once the Whack-a-thought Police Get Going
Jun 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If B.C.’s kangaroo court declares Steyn guilty, we might see two human rights bodies in cosmic collision.… Read the rest
Why is BC Prosecuting Mark Steyn?
Jun 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Steyn is effectively being tried, by a quasi-judicial panel in Vancouver, for insulting Islam.… Read the rest
Free Speech is No Excuse
Jun 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Freedom of speech is not absolute, therefore, when in doubt, prosecute.… Read the rest
BC Human Rights Code
Jun 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
BC code doesn’t allow respondents to defend themselves by arguing that what was published was true.… Read the rest
Pakistan Asks EU to Do Better
Jun 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says otherwise more attacks on EU diplomatic missions abroad could not be ruled out. … Read the rest
