I have another memory of him, white-faced, slight and thin as we all were in those more austere times, furious, standing up to some bully or other in the playground.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Christopher Buckley on Christopher Hitchens 
Dec 16th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Intellectually, ours was largely a teacher-student relationship, and let me tell you—Christopher was one tough grader.… Read the rest
MRAs respond to fraternity’s “who would you rape?” survey
Dec 15th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“We should be celebrating young men who stand up against misandry. We should be celebrating the frat that said ‘no means yes’.”… Read the rest
Killing of Dagestani journalist must be investigated
Dec 15th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Today’s murder of Gadzhimurad Kamalov, founder of the independent newspaper Chernovik, is a lethal blow to press freedom, said the Committee to Protect Journalists.… Read the rest
The Guardian talks to Rhys Morgan
Dec 15th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“They told me I was being rude and inflammatory by questioning other people’s choices.”… Read the rest
Fraternity asks “If you could rape anyone who would it be?”
Dec 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The fraternity circulated a questionnaire to its members, asking their names, major, favorite frat-related memories, favorite actor, and whom they would rape.… Read the rest
The niqab isn’t about a woman’s right to choose
Dec 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Farzana Hassan notes: “The burka is both oppressive and anti-feminist, steeped in patriarchy and control.”… Read the rest
CBC’s The National on honor killing
Dec 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nahlah Ayed talks to Homa Arjomand and Raheel Raza among others.… Read the rest
Pope backs teacher who made children cry with fear
Dec 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They were frightened by her graphic description of battles between good angels and the devil. The pope thanked her.… Read the rest
Franca Ogbu is the victim of a horrific acid attack
Dec 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The government of Nigeria has failed to prosecute her attacker. Busayo Obisakin has created a petition seeking prosecution. Here it is.… Read the rest
Nerds and male privilege
Dec 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s hard to feel valued or fully included when a very vocal group insists that your input is irrelevant, misguided and ultimately unwelcome.… Read the rest
The inconvenient truth about Islam from an ex-Muslim
Dec 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nazanin was imprisoned and raped by the Islamic regime in Iran for opposing veiling.… Read the rest
BBC on Saudi woman beheaded for ‘sorcery’
Dec 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Conservative clerics have urged the strongest possible punishments against fortune-tellers and faith healers as a threat to Islam.… Read the rest
Newsflash: Christians actually believe orthodox doctrine
Dec 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No kidding.… Read the rest
Saudi Arabia executes woman for ‘sorcery’
Dec 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She was convicted of practicing magic and sorcery.… Read the rest
The Skeptic Magazine inaugurates The Skeptic Awards
Dec 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nominate best podcast, blog, event, science video, skepticism video. Awards will be presented at QEDCon in Machester in March 2012.… Read the rest
Parents ask a man to beat their child
Dec 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They suspected their 15-year-old son of smoking, so turned to a man believed to be relied
on in their church to “discipline” children by beating them.… Read the rest
Sirleaf, Gbowee, Karman accept Nobel Peace Prize
Dec 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Peace Prize was presented to three female activists and political leaders for “their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights” as peacemakers.… Read the rest
An atheist talks cloying dreck about god
Dec 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“We Nones may not believe in God, but we hope to one day.” The hell we do.… Read the rest
