Old news, but each generation of Americans discovers it anew.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Cass Sunstein on William Rehnquist 
Sep 6th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He limited judicial activism in one direction and expanded it in another.… Read the rest
Matthew Lockwood on Anti-developmentalism
Sep 6th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Argues that African states actively discourage business, trade and innovation.… Read the rest
John Gray Reviews Thomas Friedman
Sep 6th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Neoliberals lack Marx’s insights into self-destructive qualities of capitalism. … Read the rest
Bush’s Islamic Republic
Sep 6th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Irony that US will help establish Middle East’s second Shiite Islamic state.… Read the rest
White House Chooses Interesting Strategy
Sep 5th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Keep insisting no one could have foreseen results of major hurricane despite evidence to contrary.… Read the rest
Plan for New Law on Forced Marriages
Sep 5th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some worry children will not want to see parents prosecuted.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on Foreign Office Fantasy
Sep 5th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
FO has abandoned Arab liberals in quest for approval of their enemies on the religious right.… Read the rest
What Determines the Meanings of Words?
Sep 5th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The question has tantalized philosophers as well as judges.… Read the rest
God Ain’t Listening
Sep 5th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Would all-powerful God shrug as Katrina sliced into America’s belly like a huge circular saw? … Read the rest
Stephen Law Reviews Julian Baggini
Sep 5th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thought experiments can induce an overwhelming sense of intellectual vertigo.… Read the rest
Satan Was Hired for Work by Postmodernism
Sep 5th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I know some people are willing to kill anyone who is not a pluralist.’… Read the rest
Katrina Versus Complacent Journalism
Sep 5th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Reporters suddenly ditched the deference.… Read the rest
Sharia Court Protest Spreads to Europe
Sep 5th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Protests are planned September 8 in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Düsseldorf and Stockholm.… Read the rest
Hurricane Raises Awkward Questions
Sep 4th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And awkward answers, too.… Read the rest
Colm Tóibín on Edmund Wilson
Sep 4th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Not just a two-bit book reviewer.… Read the rest
Allan Bloom and the Conservative Mind
Sep 4th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He repudiated most political, religious and economic premises of neocons.… Read the rest
Bush’s Science Problem
Sep 4th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Conclusions changed for political reasons by people who have not done the scientific work.… Read the rest
The New Republic on the ‘Life’s Tough’ View
Sep 4th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
True that life is tough, not true that there’s nothing that can be done about disasters.… Read the rest
FEMA Head Fired From Previous Job
Sep 4th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
GOP activist Mike Brown had no significant experience to qualify him for the job. … Read the rest
