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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


How to End ‘Honour’ Killings *

Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by

Create communities where people believe there is no honour in honour killing.… Read the rest



Swami Agnivesh Opposes Hindutva *

Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by

‘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

From Civitas, the Institute for the Study of Civil Society.… Read the rest



A Cultural Change *

Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by

Bush administration still packing science advisory panels with ideologues.… Read the rest



Washington Post on MMR and Wakefield *

Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by

Media panics create a debate where there isn’t one. … Read the rest



See Gwyneth Paltrow’s Cupping Bruises! *

Jul 10th, 2004 | Filed by

Hey, 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

Michael Baum tells Charles Windsor what’s wrong with anecdotal ‘evidence’.… Read the rest



Union of Concerned Scientists *

Jul 9th, 2004 | Filed by

Chris Mooney reports on their press conference.… Read the rest



Surgeon Rebukes Prince over Alternative Therapy *

Jul 9th, 2004 | Filed by

Authority via study and research v. authority via accident of birth.… Read the rest



Surprise! Americans Don’t Read Much *

Jul 9th, 2004 | Filed by

From On Native Grounds to Amusing Ourselves to Death.… Read the rest



Meghnad Desai on Religious Hatred Laws *

Jul 9th, 2004 | Filed by

Secular 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

Perhaps it’s time to start naming ‘Secularophobe of the Year’.… Read the rest



What Price ‘Life of Brian’? *

Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by

David Blunkett wants to outlaw ‘inciting religious hatred’.… Read the rest



Blunkett Renews Bid to Outlaw Religious Hatred *

Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by

Inappropriate to punish those who merely offend people’s religious sensibilities?… Read the rest



That’s a Relief *

Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by

We can criticise religion, as long as we do it sensibly.… Read the rest



Blunkett’s Well-meaning Waffle *

Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by

Beyond 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

Pharmacists and doctors are denying patients access to birth control pills.… Read the rest



Hear Blunkett on Today *

Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by

No 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

How can doctors be persuaded to comport themselves as scientists? … Read the rest



Surely Ethical Tobacco is an Oxymoron? *

Jul 8th, 2004 | Filed by

Well but they grow it with ever such nice organic fertilizer.… Read the rest