Are you kidding me, of course the New York port authority can handle more its near the ocean. Houston is in the middle of the hill country. Houston isnt all we have, Florida, and all the other states with ocean front. I dont think it would be that big of a Naval war if it was a civil war.
As far as brains go, is there some kind of state line you cross in the south where you automatically turn dumb. I didnt think so, the south is just as smart as the north except our people have guns, know how to fight, and know how to shoot.