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I suspect you may well be right that many average Achmed's are too busy grubbing out a living to think too much too emotionally about us.

On the other hand, the Middle Eastern peoples tend to stand about half an inch from each other nose to nose and yell at each other from that distance. The uninitiated think they are about to kill each other. Actually, they are merely having a laid-back, calm chat.

That to say--PASSION--seemingly especially negative passions--are the order of their cultural social customs. It is quite possible that the passions stirred up by media and a few trite images are sufficient to stir up lots of hatred in our direction--regardless of how ill informed or irrational--regardless even of how concrete vs abstract.

The Imam says we are evil infidels. They are poor. We are rich.

Therein is sufficient whatever for many to feel great negative passionate feelings of hatred and at least jealousy. Jealousy is not that far from hatred. Hatred is not that far from murder.

BTW, THANKS MUCH. I try to say what I feel--probably too much of the time. But I love people and I love seeing people have deeply rewarding and deeply communicative relationships. Glad you share such a value.