‘Peter Irons…is now being threatened with legal action by Stuart Pivar’s lawyer, Michael Little.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
‘Barefoot Doctor’ Comments on Dawkins 
Aug 30th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Barefoot Doctor is an ‘expert’ on holistic ‘medicine.’ He says Dawkins is old-fashioned.… Read the rest
Naipaul’s Cold Gaze not Acceptable in Polite Circles
Aug 30th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘What happens when people believe their principles are higher than reality.’… Read the rest
Hitchens Does a Miraculous Book Tour
Aug 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At the airport, strangers approach to say, ‘Thanks for coming to take on the theocrats.’… Read the rest
H E Baber on the Aesthetics of Toughness
Aug 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lots of liberals just don’t understand that aesthetic preference for hard, tough, aggressive and angular.… Read the rest
Nelson Mandela Statue Unveiled
Aug 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Though this statue is of one man, it should symbolise all of those who have resisted oppression.… Read the rest
Postmodern Science
Aug 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Uncomfortable scientific findings are ‘deconstructed’ so as to reinterpret them as desired.… Read the rest
Sue Blackmore on Benjamin Libet
Aug 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Philosophers and scientists have argued that free will must be an illusion. Libet found a way to test it.… Read the rest
Peter Tatchell on Nigeria’s Anti-gay Witch-hunt
Aug 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are vociferous local demands for the men to be stoned to death.… Read the rest
Alleged Gays Stoned in Nigeria
Aug 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The stoning youths felt bitter that instead of being executed the suspects were granted bail.… Read the rest
Religious ‘Rules’ Trump All, Irish Police Told
Aug 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The turban is a vital part of the rules of the Sikh religion,’ said MP. … Read the rest
‘God is Bigger Than Amnesty International’
Aug 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
US Bishops’ Conference said promoting access to abortion undermines AI’s moral credibility.… Read the rest
Abuse Plagues Muslim Women in Germany
Aug 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There is a new willingness to discuss forced marriage and spousal violence against women.… Read the rest
Arrests in Politkovskaya Murder
Aug 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Her writing was often polemical, fervent in support of human rights and the rule of law. … Read the rest
Secular Schools: Children of the Enlightenment
Aug 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The pedagogy is predicated on provocative questioning, rational thought, argument and logic.… Read the rest
The Curse of Modernity [link fixed!]
Aug 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
George Scialabba on Philip Rieff’s problem with freedom.… Read the rest
Missing the Point of Jane Austen
Aug 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pride and Prejudice – you can see where it’s going, so why bother?… Read the rest
Blasphemous Balls
Aug 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Saudi flag – pillar of Islam – name of Allah – foot – mullahs – offence – sensitive – oh no.… Read the rest
5 Academics Arrested in Bangladesh
Aug 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The military-backed authorities accuse them of involvement in protests.… Read the rest
Jesus Sympathizes With Mo
Aug 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It seems every time you turn on the tv there’s another example of Muslims behaving badly.… Read the rest
