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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


17 Archbishops Very Upset About Gay Clergy *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

Why? Not clear. Something about libertinism.… Read the rest



Archbishops Call Anglican Church Evil *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

And Europe a spiritual desert. Alas.… Read the rest



In Our Time on Pragmatism *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

Grayling, Baggini, Fricker discuss.… Read the rest



Saudi Teacher Sentenced for ‘Mocking’ Islam *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

Forty months in prison and 750 lashes. HRW condemns decision.… Read the rest



UK Political Bloggers *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

Norm Geras, Harry’s, others. Mostly male, Guardian notes.… Read the rest



Austria Arrests David Irving *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

Judge in libel hearing called him ‘an active Holocaust denier’. Holocaust denial against law in Austria.… Read the rest



Richard Webster on ‘Care’ *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

A tv drama based on real people but with some of the evidence left out.… Read the rest



Conservative Anglican Archbishops Worry *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

About sexual behavior – perhaps a little more than strictly necessary.… Read the rest



Archbishops’ Letter to Archbishop *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

The whole letter, so that you can judge for yourself.… Read the rest



David Irving Arrested in Austria *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

Called the gas chambers ‘completely fictitious’ in libel trial. Holocaust denial a crime in Austria.… Read the rest



Archbishops Write Angry Letter to Top Archbishop *

Nov 17th, 2005 | Filed by

Want him to take action against ‘unrepented sexual immorality’ in the church.… Read the rest



A Venomously Satirical Dictionary *

Nov 16th, 2005 | Filed by

Satirist is faced with disabling drawbacks; one is that so many targets are beyond parody.… Read the rest



Agenda-determined Interests on Both Sides of Issue *

Nov 16th, 2005 | Filed by

Best plan is to ignore sensational parts of the controversy and look at the science itself. … Read the rest



Is Weber’s Sex Life Relevant to his Work? *

Nov 16th, 2005 | Filed by

Wouldn’t biographers do better to stick to what can be supported, rather than go out on conjectural limbs?… Read the rest



Cheney Lobbies Congress to Permit Torture *

Nov 16th, 2005 | Filed by

White House has threatened to veto any bill with restrictions on handling detainees.… Read the rest



Senate Passed Anti-torture Amendment 90 to 9 *

Nov 16th, 2005 | Filed by

On Sunday a top-ranking White House official refused to rule out the use of torture.… Read the rest



Women Win Seats in Afghan Elections *

Nov 16th, 2005 | Filed by

Remnants of the Taliban responded to the results by detonating two suicide bombs in Kabul.… Read the rest



Sad Dupes Thesis Joins Enemy Within Idea *

Nov 15th, 2005 | Filed by

David Aaronovitch tries not to believe things for which there is no evidence.… Read the rest



Return of Philip Rieff *

Nov 15th, 2005 | Filed by

‘I think that the orthodox are in the miserable situation of being orthodox for therapeutic reasons.’… Read the rest



India Has a Long Rationalist Tradition *

Nov 15th, 2005 | Filed by

Despite a tenacious western orientalism which overvalues Indian religiosity.… Read the rest