‘Reasonable limits on what can be said’ are precisely what decent people can’t agree on.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Garton Ash on the Tyranny of the Group Veto 
Mar 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If the intimidators succeed, the lesson is: shout loudly, threaten violence, and you will get your way.… Read the rest
Future King Sneers at Rights
Mar 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why should mere subjects have rights? What rubbish.… Read the rest
Iranian Fury at SWP Meeting
Mar 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Claim that Iranian women had more rights after the revolution was too much for Iranians in the room. … Read the rest
Stanley Fish Talks Nonsense
Mar 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Disgusting nonsense at that.… Read the rest
Replies to Stanley Fish
Mar 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Two philosophers, others, take him to task.… Read the rest
Leicester Secular Society Greets JSTO
Mar 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lots of battles that we thought were won decades ago may need to be re-fought, says Chris Williams.… Read the rest
Subcommittee Rejects California Textbook Changes
Mar 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Teacher Laju Shah is ‘appalled by the selective amnesia and fake history that is being advocated.’… Read the rest
Panel Resists Textbook Changes
Mar 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Committee sought to find middle ground in the contested space of ancient history and religion. … Read the rest
Changes Reflect Compromise
Mar 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Why should history be written to make us feel better?’ said student Simmy Makhijani.… Read the rest
Manifesto
Mar 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hirsi Ali, Rushdie, Ibn Warraq, Manji, BHL, Namazie, Fourest, others sign manifesto against Islamism.… Read the rest
Dennett and Swinburne Debate Religion
Mar 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Quite funny in places.… Read the rest
The Enlightenment Tamed Christianity
Feb 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In the institutions of liberal culture, religious statements are gaining the power of conformity.… Read the rest
Shalom Lappin on the Ken Livingstone Affair
Feb 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Part of a cynical campaign of divisive ethnic politics that he has been pursuing for electoral advantage.… Read the rest
Meera Nanda on Counter-Enightenment in India
Feb 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Modern science-educated Indians treat the teachings of gurus, yogis and swamis as vaguely ‘scientific.’… Read the rest
Irving Asks a Question
Feb 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If there was an extermination programme to kill all the Jews, how come so many survived?’… Read the rest
David Irving, Richard Evans on Today [audio]
Feb 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Evans considers law banning Holocaust denial no longer really necessary.… Read the rest
High Rate of Belief in ‘Paranormal’ in US
Feb 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Especially haunted houses.… Read the rest
Trevor Phillips on Free Speech and Sharia
Feb 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We have one set of laws. If you want to have laws decided in another way, you have to live somewhere else.’… Read the rest
Ian Buruma on Sexual Frustration and Violence
Feb 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sexual frustration and bitter misogyny may be factors in mass murder.… Read the rest
