Create communities where people believe there is no honour in honour killing.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Swami Agnivesh Opposes Hindutva
Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘If the BJP comes back, it will come back with a vengeance. I fear it will.’… Read the rest
Some Arguments Against a Religious-Hatred Law
Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonFrom Civitas, the Institute for the Study of Civil Society.… Read the rest
A Cultural Change
Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBush administration still packing science advisory panels with ideologues.… Read the rest
Washington Post on MMR and Wakefield
Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMedia panics create a debate where there isn’t one. … Read the rest
See Gwyneth Paltrow’s Cupping Bruises!
Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHey, it’s an ancient Chinese practice, so it must be healthy, right?… Read the rest
With Respect, YH, You’ve Got it Wrong
Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMichael Baum tells Charles Windsor what’s wrong with anecdotal ‘evidence’.… Read the rest
Union of Concerned Scientists
Jul 9th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonChris Mooney reports on their press conference.… Read the rest
Surgeon Rebukes Prince over Alternative Therapy
Jul 9th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAuthority via study and research v. authority via accident of birth.… Read the rest
Surprise! Americans Don’t Read Much
Jul 9th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonFrom On Native Grounds to Amusing Ourselves to Death.… Read the rest
Meghnad Desai on Religious Hatred Laws
Jul 9th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSecular democracy should get away from privileging religion, not give it special status.… Read the rest
Polly Toynbee Named ‘Islamophobe of Year’
Jul 9th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPerhaps it’s time to start naming ‘Secularophobe of the Year’.… Read the rest
What Price ‘Life of Brian’?
Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDavid Blunkett wants to outlaw ‘inciting religious hatred’.… Read the rest
Blunkett Renews Bid to Outlaw Religious Hatred
Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonInappropriate to punish those who merely offend people’s religious sensibilities?… Read the rest
That’s a Relief
Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWe can criticise religion, as long as we do it sensibly.… Read the rest
Blunkett’s Well-meaning Waffle
Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBeyond the remit and power of home secretaries to compel people to be kind.… Read the rest
Hormonal Birth Control as ‘Silent’ Abortionist
Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPharmacists and doctors are denying patients access to birth control pills.… Read the rest
Hear Blunkett on Today
Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNo worry, we can say what we like about religion, as long as it’s sensible.… Read the rest
Campaigns Against Vaccinations Can Do Harm
Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHow can doctors be persuaded to comport themselves as scientists? … Read the rest
Surely Ethical Tobacco is an Oxymoron?
Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWell but they grow it with ever such nice organic fertilizer.… Read the rest