Excellent points. Another important memetic connection goes through the node "Muslims" (more specifically "Muslims vs another group that most Westerns consider culturally closer"); this connects to 9/11, the War on Terror, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Libya and Benghazi, Muhammed cartoons and free speech, and many other politically charged issues.
In Europe, immigration is another one of those heavily charged issues connected to Muslims.
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post, even in Discussion, it goes here.