Books too long, too hard; make them shorter, easier. Good plan.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Nick Cohen on Suckers for Fashionable Nonsense
Sep 11th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHomeopathic dowser healers, coffee enemas, feng-shui, expensive water.… Read the rest
‘Shinaz’ and her Experience With Sharia
Sep 11th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHint: it wasn’t good.… Read the rest
Blair Advised to Ditch Holocaust Day
Sep 11th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Muslims feel hurt and excluded that their lives are not equally valuable’ says Sacranie.… Read the rest
Midgley on Dawkins Again
Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAccuses ‘Dawkinsist’ orthodoxy of making the world in some important sense entirely random.… Read the rest
Blocked Bridge Story Confirmed
Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonUPI reports survivors were kept from crossing river by fears they would loot burn and pillage.… Read the rest
Blame not a ‘Game’ but Part of Democratic Process
Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIf officials were grossly negligent, letting tempers cool may not be best plan.… Read the rest
Poverty is About More Than Lack of Money
Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt’s also lack of connections, cultural capital, skills, strings to pull.… Read the rest
Seyran Ates on Multiculturalism v Rights of Women
Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWhy is tolerance practised with cultural traditions that are clearly oppressive of women?… Read the rest
Science Not a Patch on Mindless Superstition
Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSays Charlie Brooker civilly, after watching ‘Psychic Detective’.… Read the rest
Ontario AG’s Statement on Arbitration Act
Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘We have heard loud and clear from those who are seeking greater
protections for women.’… Read the rest
Sharia Protests in Düsseldorf, the Hague
Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWomen’s rights are not negotiable, Homa Arjomand said.… Read the rest
Ontario Urged to Spurn Sharia
Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonToronto protest was one of 12 in cities across Canada and Europe.… Read the rest
Sharia Protests in Cities Across Canada
Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOpponents say the proposed arbitration process will violate women’s’ rights.… Read the rest
Protests in Eleven Cities over Ontario Sharia
Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDemonstrations registered outrage over recommendations of voluntary tribunals based on sharia.… Read the rest
Bush Declares Katrina Prayer Day
Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPraying to the deity who sent Katrina, presumably. Whatever.… Read the rest
Demonstrators Compare Ontario Premier to Taliban
Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonProtest against use of religious rules critics consider an affront to human rights.… Read the rest
Katrina as Another Triangle Fire
Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCatastrophes make libertarianism look pathetic.… Read the rest
The Good News Is, Pat Robertson is Thriving
Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHis ‘faith-based’ Operation Blessing is on FEMA’s list of charitable groups.… Read the rest
International Protests Against Sharia Law
Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonProposal that would allow Islamic law to be used in Ontario family arbitration cases. … Read the rest