You can not push start an automatic. This is only available with a manual transmission.

Yes you can. Can't tell if this is some american thing, but european BMWs do use push start in both automatic and manual versions.

A failed automatic transmission leads to a vehicle most likely being junked.

Again can't say if this is an american thing but in germany they're easily repairable.

People driving automatics tend to focus less on the road due to the automatic transmission doing the work for you. This can lead to what you see many doing everyday: Distracted driving such as the cancerous texting and driving.

Any source of that? Because ever since I switched to automatic I felt opposite. Not having to deal with transmission makes me more focus on the road itself.