Bangladesh Independent rebukes ‘a few bigoted elements.’ [scroll down]… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Between Right-wing Extremists and Islamic Fundamentalists 
Dec 6th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If you are a girl…It is always fear and fear and fear.’… Read the rest
Death Threats Against Mimount Bousakla
Dec 6th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Socialist senator Mimount Bousakla in Belgium under police protection after death threats. … Read the rest
‘The Delusional is no Longer Marginal’
Dec 6th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bill Moyers on the environment and the ‘rapture index.’… Read the rest
Iran Concerned About Human Rights in Europe
Dec 5th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
EU protested arrest and harassment of journalists, staff of NGOs, religious minorities.… Read the rest
Mbeki Lashes Out at Tutu
Dec 5th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Personal attack on Tutu, an icon second only to Mandela, showed how hostile to criticism Mbeki has become. … Read the rest
After the van Gogh Murder
Dec 5th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Colleague is convinced the killing was a careful attempt to stifle criticism of Islam. … Read the rest
Writers Pick Top Xmas Books
Dec 5th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Chekhov’s letters, Mumbo-Jumbo, the plot against America – all sorts.… Read the rest
Reformist Journalists in Iran Cite ‘Brainwashing’
Dec 5th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Go to prison, come out, issue retraction. Hmm.… Read the rest
US Congress Cuts Science Funding
Dec 4th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Legislators earmarked more money for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Punxsutawney Weather Museum.… Read the rest
Attempt to Censor Sequel to ‘Submission’
Dec 4th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Two Muslim families in Netherlands launch suit to prevent sequel to film critical of Islam. … Read the rest
Jesus Diet, Homeopathy, Same Thing
Dec 4th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nonsense is nonsense, whether evangelical or ‘alternative’.… Read the rest
University of Chicago Chronicle on Paul Ricoeur
Dec 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ricoeur influential in philosophy of religion, moral philosophy, and the theory of language, symbol and metaphor.… Read the rest
Revolt Against Secularism in Europe?
Dec 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Define secularism as ‘intolerant’ and half the battle is won.… Read the rest
How Biased are US Universities?
Dec 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Political views don’t show up in the hard sciences and engineering.… Read the rest
Bloggers Jailed in Iran
Dec 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
News websites also subject to repression.… Read the rest
The Left is Supposed to Care About Positive Liberty
Dec 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Being left alone is not much joy if you’re destitute.… Read the rest
Silly Interview with Richard Dawkins
Dec 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Brian Appleyard wrestles with an army of strawmen.… Read the rest
Mugabe Regime Expels Aid Agency
Dec 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
90,000 hungry Zimbabwean children lose only daily meal they could count on.… Read the rest
British Muslims Want Sharia in Civil Cases
Dec 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Guardian poll finds 88% of sample want time off for praying at school and work.… Read the rest
