Awarding the prize to Butler should have been controversial on the merits, given the actual quality of her work (but this isn't the first time, alas, that particular Prize has been given to a charlatan).  But instead, the controversy has focused on her having verboten views about Israel and Israeli policy.  Remarkably, her response to these charges is quite cogent and lucid–I guess she can write intelligible and effective prose when she needs to!

(Thanks to Jim Nichols for the pointer.)

UPDATE:  Butler fans are so touchy, who knew?