urban southern california variant is some truly off-the-rails shit

As someone who grew up in this culture, this analysis is spot on. You get just the right mix of nationalism-when-convenient, but not-when-inconvenient, and racism-when-convenient, but not-when-inconvinent. Elitism for not being a "southern idiot", but also idealizes the southern lifestyle. Combine all that, with good marketing and whitewashing techniques stolen from Hollywood, and massive amounts of money. Stir it altogether, and watch the crazy-unhinged come out in fantastical new ways.