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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Lords Block Assisted Dying Bill *

May 12th, 2006 | Filed by

Thank the archbishops if you die in pain.… Read the rest



Joffe Bill Blocked *

May 12th, 2006 | Filed by

You Gov poll commissioned by Dignity in Dying showed overall public support for the law.… Read the rest



Dave Hill on Identity *

May 11th, 2006 | Filed by

While identity politics can be a rational response to oppression they can also be deeply reactionary.… Read the rest



Scott McLemee on Pierre Rosanvallon *

May 11th, 2006 | Filed by

Neither giving two cheers for democracy, nor calling for more of it; what does that leave a philosopher to do?… Read the rest



Janet Afary, Juan Cole on Jahanbegloo Arrest *

May 11th, 2006 | Filed by

MESA and ISIS express concern in letter to Khamenei.… Read the rest



Worries Over Torture, Forced ‘Confession’ *

May 11th, 2006 | Filed by

Jahanbegloo accused of relations with foreigners.… Read the rest



Friends and Colleagues Sign Letter *

May 11th, 2006 | Filed by

‘Very anxious about the fate of our friend, we urge his immediate release.’… Read the rest



Official Wants Da Vinci Movie Banned *

May 11th, 2006 | Filed by

Coz it’s blasphemous.… Read the rest



Should Bristol Apologize? If So, to Whom? *

May 11th, 2006 | Filed by

Perhaps the apology floats in a vacuum and doesn’t need anyone to receive it.… Read the rest



‘Vatican Astronomer’ on Creationism as Paganism *

May 10th, 2006 | Filed by

Said the idea of papal infallibility had been a PR disaster.… Read the rest



Baggini Misunderstands Sin Shock-horror *

May 10th, 2006 | Filed by

If humans are made by God, rational animal’s happiness involves conformity to God’s will. Big if.… Read the rest



Equality Minister, Opus Dei, Gay Rights *

May 10th, 2006 | Filed by

Is there a problem?… Read the rest



Opus Dei Synonymous With Homophobia *

May 10th, 2006 | Filed by

Has not shaken off rumours of brainwashing, homophobia, murky political influence.… Read the rest



Baggini Asks: Wot is Sin? *

May 10th, 2006 | Filed by

Aristotle thought of good and bad with no reference to God’s will. … Read the rest



Baggini Guardian Takeover *

May 10th, 2006 | Filed by

Do you mistrust the government or the media more?… Read the rest



Review of Frederick Crews on Fuzzy Ideas *

May 9th, 2006 | Filed by

Essays informed by the same hostility to woolly, untested thinking that drives Crews’ writing on Freud.… Read the rest



‘Faith’ Schools and Gender Inequality *

May 9th, 2006 | Filed by

Can educational parity be squared with religions that traditionally subjugate women? … Read the rest



‘Devout’ Christian Dies During Fast *

May 9th, 2006 | Filed by

Died ‘devoting herself to the Lord’ because of her ‘strict’ and ‘strong’ Christian beliefs.… Read the rest



Iran Confirms Arrest of Jahanbegloo *

May 9th, 2006 | Filed by

Authorities cite charges of ‘contacts with foreigners, including the Monarchists’.… Read the rest



Radio Free Europe Interview With Jahanbegloo *

May 9th, 2006 | Filed by

‘The fourth generation is very attached to democracy and pluralism and has a global view.’… Read the rest