Why didn’t play’s producers and police tell ‘community leaders’ to get lost? What’s to negotiate? … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti in Hiding After Murder Threats 
Dec 22nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Councillor calls mob’s success at censorship a victory for common sense.… Read the rest
ACSH Replies to CSPI
Dec 22nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A history of going where the science takes them, even when that science is counter to interest of funders.… Read the rest
Never Mind the Truth, Just Win the Argument
Dec 22nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Schopenhauer’s sardonic book gives 38 argument-winning rhetorical tricks.… Read the rest
Death Threats Succeed in Silencing Playwright
Dec 22nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti has asked theatre not to stage her play because threats against her have increased.… Read the rest
Paul Edwards 1923-2004
Dec 21st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Atheist philosopher lived 81 years, did not convert to theism.… Read the rest
Sharia Opponents Criticize Ontario Report
Dec 21st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Boyd cites safeguards; critics cite pressure from right-wing Muslim fundamentalists.… Read the rest
Report Pushes Women’s Rights Back 1400 Years
Dec 21st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Boyd’s report encourages spread of Political Islam in Canada, says Homa Arjomand.… Read the rest
Sharia in Canada a Thoroughly Bad Idea
Dec 21st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Should be rejected along with any other impulse to tailor Canada’s justice system to individual cultures.… Read the rest
The Self-Esteem Myth
Dec 21st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Just for a start, separate correlation from causation.… Read the rest
Sikh Protests Over Play Threaten Continued Run
Dec 20th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Birmingham’s Roman Catholic Archbishop called play offensive to all faiths.… Read the rest
Sikh Protests Succeed in Censoring Play
Dec 20th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Executive director of Birmingham Rep admits play’s closure amounts to censorship.… Read the rest
Theatre Halts Sikh Play Over Safety Fears
Dec 20th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Controversial play closed after mini-riot among Sikhs who claimed it demeaned their religion.… Read the rest
Ugly Violence Causes Free Speech to be Curbed
Dec 20th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rep refused to censor play, abandoned it purely on health and safety grounds. … Read the rest
Two Women Face Execution in Iran
Dec 20th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Human rights groups urge Britons to help save abused women from hanging and stoning.… Read the rest
How Disinterested is ACSH?
Dec 19th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘ACSH is heavily financed by corporations with specific and direct interest in ACSH’s chosen battles.’… Read the rest
In Defence of Militant Secularism
Dec 19th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why is the UK left encouraging communalism?… Read the rest
The Left’s Retreat from Universal Human Rights
Dec 19th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Peter Tatchell on ‘colluding with religious-inspired barbarisms like female genital mutilation.’… Read the rest
‘Divinely Ordained Justice’ in Iran
Dec 19th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For girls of nine and up: stoning, 53 lashes then stoning, 5 years in prison then execution.… Read the rest
A Tricky Distinction to Maintain
Dec 19th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You can say anything you like about beliefs, but not about believers.… Read the rest
