Yes, they can.
Yes, witness rewards are not factored in
Mind you I designed it for common people. There are many exceptions possible. I can prove the exceptions are not statistically significant for the "active hiver" population I am after. About only 8000 accounts :)
It's worth mentioning though, a lot of people don't fully understand this stuff so I try to be clear.
Yes. I have been writing. I am glad you wrote this post. Others have as well.
More we talk the better.