But listen to the lines from the latest trailer. Actor Michael Caine, playing Batman's butler and mentor Alfred, says in his 'Alfie' cockney accent:
"... and in their desperation, they turned to a man they didn't fully understand.
Some men aren't looking for anything logical.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn..."
Yes, some men want to watch the world burn, just as long as they can get their kidney dialysis treatments in Rawalpindi, and their 72 virgins later on. I'm not talking about the Joker, of course.
But it's still interesting to dissect American cultural politics by seeing how far some will reach into Americana lore while seeking room to maneuver in winning the battle for hearts and minds.
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Once you mentioned “dialysis”, I was reminded of a great son of our country, one VP Singh. I give below some old but inspiring news items about the great man.
“VP Singh has no faith in AIIMS [Deepshikha Ghosh, The Statesman, Wednesday, April 14, 1999] Former PM V.P. Singh says staying in Delhi is hazardous to his health. Mr Singh, undergoing prolonged treatment in the UK for his renal problems, has accused the government and the health ministry of not taking adequate care of his health ... Mr Singh rejected offers of treatment from the AIIMS. In Delhi, Mr Singh refused treatment in premier government hospitals, preferring the privately run Indraprastha Apollo, where all his dialyses were conducted. ... The former PM is in London for the fifth time in the course of his illness. His wife and personal physician are with him. The CGHS is paying a daily allowance of $100 to his personal physician, apart from taking care of his bills for stay and treatment. The CGHS has already spent about Rs 6 crore for the former PM’s treatment. ...”
“'Big Donation' [John Abraham, Letter to Editor, The Statesman, Thursday, July 1, 1999] Mr V.P. Singh has “donated” Rs 50,000 for the war fund. From London. Where he is being given dialysis. Is this not available in India? Not only is it available, it is done by competent doctors. Why did he go to London? Because the government looks after ex-Prime Ministers with taxpayers' money. His whole family is with him in London. So is the Special Protection Group. They are staying at the most expensive hotel in London. At the Airport, SPG had been divested of all its arms as per the rule of the land. Then How do they propose to protect the former premier? By just lounging around. What is the damage? Nearly Rs 2 crore. Now V.P. Singh donates Rs 50,000 to the war fund.”
“PMs’ health bill: Rs 23 lakh/mth [The Times of India, Sunday, July 189, 2004; By Arun Kumar Das/TNN] New Delhi: What does it take to keep our prime minister — and ex-PMs —fit as a fiddle? About 32 doctors, 27 paramedics and seven ambulances round the clock. In monetary terms, about Rs 23 lakh a month. ◙ Besides the PM, six former PMs and Sonia Gandhi, and their kith and kin, are entitled to an unlimited health budget. For example, Rs 15 crore has been spent on former PM V P Singh’s treatment in the US and England.”
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