Could you point out anything in particular that places Batman Begins into any particular time? (not challenging, just wondering)

The movie doesn't seem to have any particular themes that would place it in the past. I'd say it's like most movies and just sets itself in the time that the movie was created. In which case, I guess the time line would be present since at the time of its release it reflects that world.

As for the link to the original Batman movie, I'd say the topic starter is right in saying the two have nothing to do with each other since the next Nolan-directed movie is reinventing the Joker.