“I want to know why this state, with which we have diplomatic relations, issued a communication, the effect of which was that very serious matter of the abuse of children in this country was not reported to the authorities.”… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Irish foreign minister summoned papal nuncio 
Jul 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For a little chat about the church’s refusal to obey the law.… Read the rest
Girls should not be segregated in public schools
Jul 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Not even if they’re bleeding.… Read the rest
Ireland will pass new laws in wake of Cloyne report
Jul 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The bishops and the church lie to the government and evade law enforcement, the report found. … Read the rest
Cloyne report: Irish church hiding abuse into 2009
Jul 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Abuse victims called the report more evidence that the church sought to protect priests rather than children. … Read the rest
Israel: women banned from management conference
Jul 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
That’s right, just plain banned. All of them. Journalists too.… Read the rest
Joan Smith on “ball-breaking women” panics
Jul 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Oh noes, Nick Clegg has to do his share of child-raising duties; he’s castrated!… Read the rest
The Pastafarian driver’s license photo
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Well if you allow religious headgear in the photo, you have to be consistent.… Read the rest
Andrew Copson on the EHRC’s stance
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Ladele case set a vital precedent in recognising the fundamental nature of the rights of gays and lesbians to be protected from discrimination.… Read the rest
Austria: colander hat is official religious garb
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Can wear hat for driver’s license photo only for religious reasons. Pastafarian steps up.… Read the rest
Bishop, Vatican lambasted over sex abuse claims
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cloyne report found the response from Rome effectively gave a carte blanche to the likes of Bishop Magee to ignore the guidelines.… Read the rest
Cloyne report is published
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Criticises a Catholic diocese in County Cork for a failure to report all complaints of abuse to police. … Read the rest
Jack of Kent and readers do detective work
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
On the question “who is David Rose?” A friend of Johann Hari’s as he says, or…?… Read the rest
Johann Hari faces new claims of sock puppetry
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Claims that Hari used a pseudonym to make unflattering edits to Wikipedia entries for journalists including Nick Cohen and Cristina Odone.… Read the rest
Bombay: new explosions for bomber’s birthday
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The blasts coincide with the birthday of the sole surviving gunman from the 2008 attacks which killed nearly 170 people.… Read the rest
EHRC proposes “reasonable accommodation”
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So it is supporting Lillian Ladele at the European Court of Human Rights.… Read the rest
Religious rights will trump gay rights
Jul 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When one group refuses to fulfil its job description because it disapproves of another group, there is no middle ground.… Read the rest
Tony Blair’s crap idea
Jul 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Getting schools to obsess about religion.… Read the rest
Independent suspends Johann Hari
Jul 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He is accused of lifting quotes from elsewhere without attributing the source, is suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation.… Read the rest
