You have provided an interesting mix of items, and I am wondering what it says about your perception of American culture. Let's see, which of these is not like the others? NASCAR - The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Since the first auto race in June 1895, Americans have loved to watch men in machines push it as fast as possible. This says much about American culture, the value that we have for courage and innovation. I would accept this. The rest of the world followed and auto racing has truly become an international affair, though it did originate in the US. Lynchings - The act of a mob putting an individual to death without due process of law. The term is derived from "Lynch law" which referred to the actions of a Captain Charles Lynch in Pittsylvania Co, VA. Capt Lynch organized group of Justices and Militia officers to act in concert to suppress a rebellion and punish lawless behavior by corporal means during the revolutionary war. Hanging is the extreme extent of this. Capt Lynch's group was acting upon the basis of English Common Law and was copying the formation of Vigilance Committees in the various municipalities and parishes of Britain. The term is American, but the practice is Colonial era British. The Cowboy is a symbol of Americanism and is viewed largely as an outgrowth of the rugged expansion of the US into the western region of the America's. The Cowboy symbolizes the individualistic nature of Americans, the rugged determination to seek out new lands and to live free. While there are Cowboys in other areas, such as Argentina, Mexico, and Canada, the American cowboy is held up internationally as uniquely representative of those qualities. Jazz originated in New Orleans as an amalgamation of European musical structures and African tribal rhythms. Jazz celebrates breaking from the pack and establishing a unique "sound" that the artist can claim as all their own, while still following some basic rules. It is another of those things that had it's origins in the United States and found itself being adopted and copied internationally. So we have three things that speak to individualism and freedom and one that speaks to mob mentality and subjugation to the "group". I do not believe that these are "random artifacts" that you have selected. I think that you intend to make a point by specifically using lynching as one of your examples and then filled in around it with things that you felt might allow it to slip by. On a final note, I completely disagree with your assertion that "We're an undigested salad in the rumen of the great American cow". We have a very real and definable culture that is under attack from a number of points. We have a culture of self determination, just go to any city hall meeting and listen to people expressing their opinions and demanding a voice in governance. We have a culture of freedom, where we do not want someone else telling us what to do, say, think, or act. We have a culture of innovation, as evidenced by the number patents  and the number of Nobel Prizes awarded to American scientists. We have a cultural disposition to act as opposed to wait fro other to act. And finally we have a cultural awareness as a people dedicated to the rule of law and protection of the minority. Just because we have regional and local differences, do not think that we do not have a very real and identifiable culture. And don't make the mistake of confusing tradition with culture, they are different things, different ethnic and racial groups have specific traditions that are unique to them, but that does not prevent them from participating fully within the culture of the United States.