I'd find it a bit weird though not especially bothersome if rural and small town people truly believed that they had unique claim on American authenticity, whatever the hell that means. They can nurture whatever pet conceits they want and they won't really impact me. But when it comes from the mouths and pens
of elite pundits who for some reason are not inclined to reside in this precious real America it's really quite annoying. Given the magic of the internets and satellite hookups most of these people could join with their authentic brethren in, say,
Fredonia, and live out their fantasy lives.
