‘We must go beyond the headline-grabbing confrontations between religious and atheist extremists.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Dutch Foreign Minister Talks Woolly Drivel 
Jan 24th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If freedom of expression means anything at all, it means the right to offend. … Read the rest
Blears Urges Muslim Women to Take the Lead
Jan 24th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Time to give the silent majority a voice.… Read the rest
Judge Says Forced Marriage is Undercounted
Jan 24th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Official statistics on forced marriage reflect only the tip of the iceberg of a much larger problem in Britain.… Read the rest
Social Attitudes Change
Jan 24th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Attitudes to gays and single parents are more liberal, those to poor people are less so.… Read the rest
Merlin John on the Offensive Three Builders
Jan 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Judges asked: ‘Is it true that all builders are cowboys?’… Read the rest
Journalist Sentenced to Death for ‘Blasphemy’
Jan 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh, 23, downloaded internet material about the role of women in Islamic societies. … Read the rest
Woman Allows Boyfriend to Collar and Leash Her
Jan 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Goth’ wears collar and leash and lets her ‘Goth’ boyfriend carry the leash.… Read the rest
Large Increase in Rapes in Kenya
Jan 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘At any time of unrest, of violence, or rioting, women and children are targeted.’… Read the rest
RSF Shock at Death Sentence for Journalist
Jan 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The deputy provincial prosecutor threatened to imprison all journalists who support Kambakhsh.… Read the rest
Mullahs Called for Death Penalty for Journalist
Jan 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Afghan journalists exposed to threats from religious fundamentalists who try to prevent any debate about Islam and the status of women.… Read the rest
‘Three Little Pigs’ Too Offensive
Jan 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Oh come on, this is a joke, right? No, apparently not.… Read the rest
UNFPA Tackles Teenage Pregnancy in Ghana
Jan 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Men go on with their lives without consequences. Men have all the power and don’t ask women what they think or want.’… Read the rest
‘This Disease is From God’
Jan 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Men who don’t desert wives who have fistulas are a small minority in Sudan.… Read the rest
UNFPA Helping Pregnant Women in Kenya
Jan 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
UNFPA is particularly concerned about reports of increased sexual violence in the displacement settlements.… Read the rest
The Pope and Exorcism
Jan 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The church tells mentally ill people they invited the Devil in.… Read the rest
Johann Hari Talks to Peter Tatchell
Jan 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ken Livingstone has never thrown open the doors of City Hall to liberal and progressive Muslims.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Try the ‘Offensive’ Ploy
Jan 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But as predicted, the barmaid has a reply.… Read the rest
Martin Bright: Ken Livingstone is a Disgrace
Jan 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Attempts by Mayor’s office to smear a brave anti-racism campaigner are a step too far. … Read the rest
