Server went down as I was attempting to add this most important bit:
While it is best to probably not underestimate the quality and quantity of a nation's willpower, you can be sure that there are pretty good odds in
overestimating the relative intelligence of the American electorate
And it is good to have friends in the world - G-d knows we need 'em. The next few decades are not going to be easy, considering where we are now.