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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


UK Imams Demand Changes in the Law *

Feb 9th, 2006 | Filed by

To outlaw any possible publication of the cartoons of the prophet Muhammad in the UK.… Read the rest



Irshad Manji and As’ad Abukhalil Debate *

Feb 9th, 2006 | Filed by

Bully talks three times as much and accuses other of monologuing.… Read the rest



Why Should Religions be Protected from ‘Insult’? *

Feb 9th, 2006 | Filed by

Obvious distinction between what is offensive and what should be illegal is being ignored.… Read the rest



How Moral Disengagement Works *

Feb 9th, 2006 | Filed by

You have to convince people of the sanctity of the greater cause.… Read the rest



Student Editor Suspended for Printing Cartoon *

Feb 8th, 2006 | Filed by

Everyone quoted talks stupid contradictory authoritarian crap.… Read the rest



J-P Rejected Jesus Cartoons Three Years Ago *

Feb 8th, 2006 | Filed by

‘I think that they will provoke an outcry. Therefore, I will not use them.’ Oops.… Read the rest



Oh So That’s What the Extra Cartoons Were For *

Feb 8th, 2006 | Filed by

Danish Muslim leaders insisted they had been trying to promote a ‘dialogue of civilisations.’… Read the rest



Sonia Mikich Feels Offended *

Feb 8th, 2006 | Filed by

Jews see themselves represented as cannibals and pigs, Western women as decadent sluts. … Read the rest



Julian Baggini on the Science of Religion *

Feb 8th, 2006 | Filed by

Is religion a natural phenomenon, like photosynthesis, evolution or belly-button fluff?… Read the rest



Dress Worn by Non-believers is ‘Not Suitable’ *

Feb 8th, 2006 | Filed by

Begum refused to attend school because she had to wear the same uniform as ‘disbelieving women.’… Read the rest



The Orientalists and their Enemies *

Feb 8th, 2006 | Filed by

Irwin argues that orientalism is what it claims to be – the study of eastern languages, history, culture.… Read the rest



Secularists Don’t Understand Depth of Feeling *

Feb 8th, 2006 | Filed by

Price for a bit of journalism is not worth it because there are people who will feel genuinely offended.… Read the rest



Research Group Finds New Species in Indonesia *

Feb 7th, 2006 | Filed by

Butterflies, frogs, palms, giant rhododendron, honeyeater bird, lost bird of paradise.… Read the rest



MPs in Kano, Nigeria Burn Denmark’s Flag *

Feb 7th, 2006 | Filed by

Ado Saleh reports c. 200 people, including the 40 state parliamentarians, attended flag burning.… Read the rest



Turkish Journalists on Trial for Insulting Judiciary *

Feb 7th, 2006 | Filed by

Wrote articles criticising court decision to ban conference on killing of Armenians 1915-1917.… Read the rest



Peacekeepers and Protesters Exchange Fire *

Feb 7th, 2006 | Filed by

Second day of violent cartoon demonstrations in Afghanistan.… Read the rest



Iranian Paper Holds Contest for Holocaust Cartoons *

Feb 7th, 2006 | Filed by

Because cartoons about genocide are the same as cartoons about one 1400-year-old guy.… Read the rest



Music ‘Produced By and For Social Elites’ *

Feb 6th, 2006 | Filed by

It is snobbish and improbable to assume that complex art is appreciated only by the upper class.… Read the rest



Four People Killed in Cartoon Protests *

Feb 6th, 2006 | Filed by

‘They want to know whether Muslims are extremists or not. Death to them and to their newspapers.’… Read the rest



Peter Berkowitz Reviews Theory’s Empire *

Feb 6th, 2006 | Filed by

Theory is The Key to almost everything.… Read the rest