Not startling but covers a lot of ground.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Sylvia Browne Attempts to Silence a Critic 
Feb 6th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He receives a letter from her lawyer.… Read the rest
Geras, Garrard and Lappin on Independent Voices
Feb 6th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Self-proclaimed independent-mindedness is no guarantee of anything.’… Read the rest
Mark Vernon on Plato’s Symposium
Feb 6th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It opened up for MV when he realized it could be read and re-read; it operates simultaneously at many levels.… Read the rest
Rejoice! Ted Haggard Says He’s not Gay
Feb 6th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It was just the one guy, the one who told. Praise the lord.… Read the rest
Women at the Back of the Bus Fight Back
Feb 6th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Secular passengers report being harassed or kicked off for what other passengers deem inappropriate dress.… Read the rest
Clive James on The Life of Kingsley Amis
Feb 5th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Dunces are hopping in a circle around his tomb, singing their tiny songs.’… Read the rest
It’s Time for Liberals to Fight Back
Feb 5th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No, students can’t placidly tell teachers ‘I can’t go to the play, I’m a Christian.’… Read the rest
Alan Sokal and Chris Mooney Join Forces
Feb 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A stance of postmodernist relativism weakens us in the face of campaigns to undercut well-established knowledge.… Read the rest
Freedom of Speech v Right to a Fair Trial
Feb 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nick Cohen considers a tension.… Read the rest
Is Intolerance Tolerable?
Feb 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Preaching hatred of gays, women, infidels is perhaps not entirely benign.… Read the rest
Andrew Anthony Talks to Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Feb 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Liberals, she says, have shirked the responsibility of making the case for their own beliefs.’… Read the rest
Ian Buruma Talks to Tariq Ramadan
Feb 4th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘In Islamic tradition, women are seen in terms of being mothers, wives or daughters.’… Read the rest
Pamela Bone Checks the Left’s Moral Compass
Feb 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why are Muslim feminists derided as apologists for imperialism, or ‘neocons’?… Read the rest
Tasneem Khalil on a Death Squad in Bangladesh
Feb 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Asian Human Rights Commission found that least 8,000 victims were innocent citizens.… Read the rest
Why ‘American’ is a Pejorative in Europe
Feb 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because Americans are just so tacky…… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre Reads Gillian McKeith’s PhD
Feb 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cargo Cult science: she goes through the motions, but content is like eerie parody of an academic text.… Read the rest
Sleepwalking With the Enemy
Feb 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Ireland she fled taught her how a powerful religion can get its way by bullying and frightening politicians.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Audition
Feb 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We love you threat threat threat, we love you threat threat threat. It’s a hit!… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Rebuke Blackmailing Asshats
Feb 3rd, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Jesus notes the irony, Mo gets confused.… Read the rest
