Tremendous gap between the
rich and the poor is hammered home to the poor through mass media but not to the rich.
Òthe hidden poorÓ = Òthe hidden but angry poorÓ
Karl MarxÕs thesis about
religion (the Òopium of the massesÓ): religion is escapism.
Pamuk on spiritual misery and
humiliation, fertile ground for religious proselytizing (by Islamists and
others).
[Decolonization
has not translated into prosperity for millions, perhaps billions, of people in
the former colonies. The
emergence of ÒnativeÓ oligarchs and military regimes.
Decolonization often meant de-capitalization, as settlers took their
money home.]
Turkey and martial law;
mistreatment of Kurds. Anti-americanism
encouraged as a smoke screen or cipher for the anger and humiliation of
squalor.
Politics of identity. The World Cup.
The situation in Cairo (home
of many of the terrorists of 9/11).
US war-making: is the ÒenemyÓ
understood? Cf., the history of
Cambodia and American bombing (from Òflying Holiday Inns,Ó Swimming to
Cambodia).