This guy may be smart, but I think he's just enhancing his own academic position by telling some rooskies what they want hear

- There are no divisive issues here in the US which evoke emotions strong enough to incite actual violence amongst the mainstream population. (Unlike the civil war)

- There are no divisive issues which overwhelmingly correspond to geography. (unlike the civil war)

- The president elect appears to be serious about his campaign promises of unity.

- The US military is EXTREMELY homogeneous. I can comfortably say that we will not allow a break-up of the US (Unlike the civil war, in which west point graduates split about 50-50). Without a faction of the US military supporting them, what break-away group could possibly succeed?

- As far as outside forces are concerned...the US military controls our strategic forces, including a fully-operational missile defense system. Nobody would dare try it.

The whole idea is ludicrous.