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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Shorter Books *

Sep 11th, 2005 | Filed by

Books too long, too hard; make them shorter, easier. Good plan.… Read the rest



Nick Cohen on Suckers for Fashionable Nonsense *

Sep 11th, 2005 | Filed by

Homeopathic dowser healers, coffee enemas, feng-shui, expensive water.… Read the rest



‘Shinaz’ and her Experience With Sharia *

Sep 11th, 2005 | Filed by

Hint: it wasn’t good.… Read the rest



Blair Advised to Ditch Holocaust Day *

Sep 11th, 2005 | Filed by

‘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

Accuses ‘Dawkinsist’ orthodoxy of making the world in some important sense entirely random.… Read the rest



Blocked Bridge Story Confirmed *

Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by

UPI 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

If 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

It’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

Why 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

Says Charlie Brooker civilly, after watching ‘Psychic Detective’.… Read the rest



Ontario AG’s Statement on Arbitration Act *

Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by

‘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

Women’s rights are not negotiable, Homa Arjomand said.… Read the rest



Ontario Urged to Spurn Sharia *

Sep 10th, 2005 | Filed by

Toronto 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

Opponents 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

Demonstrations registered outrage over recommendations of voluntary tribunals based on sharia.… Read the rest



Bush Declares Katrina Prayer Day *

Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by

Praying to the deity who sent Katrina, presumably. Whatever.… Read the rest



Demonstrators Compare Ontario Premier to Taliban *

Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by

Protest 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

Catastrophes make libertarianism look pathetic.… Read the rest



The Good News Is, Pat Robertson is Thriving *

Sep 9th, 2005 | Filed by

His ‘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

Proposal that would allow Islamic law to be used in Ontario family arbitration cases. … Read the rest