These plans, discussed in Facebook posts, entail posing as recall supporters and gathering signatures, only to later destroy the petitions.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Conservatives plot to destroy Scott Walker recall petitions 
Nov 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
James Kirchick on Bruce Crumley on Charlie Hebdo
Nov 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What made Crumley’s entry into the genre singularly poisonous is that it was written by a working journalist, not an academic, politician, or anti-“Islamophobia” activist.… Read the rest
PSU protesters blindly ignore real victims
Nov 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Petulant chants of “One more game” and “We want JoePa” united the crowd in a bond of youthful stupidity and shortsightedness… Read the rest
How is college football like the Catholic church?
Nov 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The football program at Penn State was so sacrosanct as to be almost untouchable.… Read the rest
Spiked sneers at humane animal slaughter law
Nov 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Portrays it as a “sign of religious intolerance.” What the animals might think is not mentioned.… Read the rest
Separation of church and state essential for civil liberties
Nov 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“When we are dragging religion into politics, then we are not searching for truth, but we do it to support our agenda in order to preserve our position.”… Read the rest
Kurt Metzger totally pwns Rebecca Watson
Nov 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Then Tim Minchin says go all fucking Gandhi. Even if you hate them. Little glasses, sandals, chilling out and drinking chai. Trying not to have sex with your great niece. Lovely.… Read the rest
Colbert defends the religious right to bully
Nov 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“That’s not me, that’s God, the all-knowing all-loving creator who made all things and hates some of them.”… Read the rest
“Reformed” atheist turned rabbi says religion is good
Nov 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
This is all a real search for something transcendent because that transcendence exists in the world.… Read the rest
Ethan Clow on CFI, skepticism, and women
Nov 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s been reported that CFI Vancouver, and presumably CFI Canada, have decided not to sponsor feminist-skeptical meet ups.… Read the rest
More personhood for zygotes
Nov 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
64 Republicans are pushing a bill that would extend personhood to all zygotes in America.… Read the rest
Rabbi Adam Jacobs asks damn fool questions
Nov 10th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Often, I’ve inquired of non-believers if it at all vexes them that nothing that they have ever done or will ever do will make the slightest difference to anyone on any level?”… Read the rest
Suzanne Moore on internet misogynists
Nov 10th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
This is a conversation we needed to have a long time ago. Let’s talk.… Read the rest
Rick Perry wants to close all the things
Nov 10th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Only he can’t remember what they are.… Read the rest
EU withdraws its own film on Afghan women prisoners
Nov 10th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Half of Afghanistan’s women prisoners are there for being victims of rape or forced marriage or violence or all three.… Read the rest
Photographing domestic violence
Nov 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The work of Donna Ferrato.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo speak up for global blasphemy law
Nov 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Barmaid’s response is redacted.… Read the rest
Mississippi “personhood” measure failed resoundingly
Nov 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Personhood Florida views the fight for the rights of zygotes as a historically significant civil rights struggle on par with the fight against slavery.… Read the rest
Monks should not run school with history of sex abuse
Nov 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In 2009 Father David Pearce, the former head of St Benedict’s School in Ealing, was jailed for eight years for abusing five students.… Read the rest
In France, solidarity with Charlie Hebdo
Nov 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Politicos from every quarter of the French establishment are rushing to defend Charlie, including some who have threatened the magazine with defamation suits.… Read the rest
