Some 'insights' are indeed tenuous and the article isn't fantastic, but those who are determined to act as though there is a barrier between 'culture' and 'our views', and that the former has nothing to do with the latter, are just as silly. The same goes for those who believe that only 'high' (I don't like this distinction) culture can form opinions or has ideological bent. It is as important to perform analyses of what is typically perceived to be low culture as it is 'high', whether that be Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Twilight, or, yes, Thomas the Tank Engine.
This line of thinking is no doubt in its infancy, which is why researchers treading in unfamiliar territory do indeed make ridiculous, tenuous links like the smoke=racism one, but the general practice shouldn't be ridiculed.