But criticism of Islam is another matter.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Why Another Look at the Zimbardo Experiment? 
Aug 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because the Stanford Prison Experiment may explain a vast range of disasters.… Read the rest
Joan Smith Defends Channel 4
Aug 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Channel 4 was right to investigate Wahhabi influence in British mosques.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Ask the Barmaid
Aug 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If you don’t believe in God, why don’t you go around behaving selfishly and badly? So ha.… Read the rest
The Barmaid Doesn’t Get the Identity Problem
Aug 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Perhaps the pigeon does.… Read the rest
Two Journalists Murdered in Somalia
Aug 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Press freedom groups worldwide expressed horror at the ‘savage’ killings on 11 August 2007.… Read the rest
Two Somali Canadian Journalists Killed
Aug 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Somali associates outraged, saying both deaths were part of a deliberate campaign against the media.… Read the rest
HornAfrik a Beacon of Integrity in Somalia
Aug 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mahad Ahmed Elmi’s talk show challenged human-rights abusers and warlords and extremists.… Read the rest
Freeman Dyson on the Need for Heretics
Aug 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Experts who talk publicly about contentious questions tend to speak more clearly than they think.… Read the rest
Violence Against Women in Punjab
Aug 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Statistics compiled by the HRCP: 172 cases of honour killing were reported in Punjab in 2003.… Read the rest
Ex-Muslim ‘Foments Sectarian Antagonism’
Aug 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
According to the AP, anyway.… Read the rest
The Bible is Crap Literature
Aug 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Good Book is not, as is so often suggested, a damn good read. It’s crap.… Read the rest
Rorty’s Solution to a Basic Philosophical Question
Aug 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
His critique of universalism constituted a liberation but left no alternative to moral ethnocentrism. … Read the rest
Police Investigate ‘Undercover Mosque’
Aug 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Community leaders’ were ‘enraged’ by Channel 4 documentary.… Read the rest
Why Are the Cops Collaring TV?
Aug 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Undercover Mosque was great journalism. That the CPS thought it incited racial hatred beggars belief.… Read the rest
Channel 4’s Kevin Sutcliffe Replies
Aug 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The speakers were shown making abhorrent comments in mainstream Islamic institutions.… Read the rest
Mohammed Shafiq is Outraged
Aug 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Channel 4 should apologise immediately for the hurt they have caused those people.’… Read the rest
Imams OK, Reporters All Wrong
Aug 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Charges will not be brought against kuffar-hating clerics, but police report Channel 4 to Ofcom.… Read the rest
The Police as TV Critics – Thumbs Down
Aug 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Had anyone asked the police for specific examples to justify their grand claim, they would have been left wanting.… Read the rest
Do the West Midlands Police Side with Islamists?
Aug 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Islamic state envisaged is not an ideal kingdom of heaven where the lion shall lie down with the lamb. … Read the rest
