What brought you to Slovakia?  I was there for about 6 months in 1992, not long after their communist government died.  I loved it.  There were many manifestations of communism still there at that time.  There was also massive, uncontrolled inflation and shortages of everything as a result of being so close to Austria (I'm certain, the most expensive place in the world).  The Austrians would trundle the 30 miles from Vienna every weekend to take advantage of the low prices and buy everything they could get their hands on.

I still love the good ole USA, but I often understand I am an oddball in redneck land.  "Somethin' just not right wit that girl."

Lotsa places left to go.  It will be a sad day indeed when I can no longer say there are frontiers left to see.

I believe I am behind by quite a few comments.  Apologies, tax time and big demons in my network.

So:

Texas, of course, is the redneck state which hosts my abode at the present.

Jesus is the son of God.  I don't hold "conventional" beliefs regarding that.  Organized religion, of late, has become anathema to me.

"PG" my comments: downgrade from an "R" (Not suitable for all audiences.  May contain nudity, sex, adult themes, harsh language) to "PG" (may not be suitable for audiences under 13.  Parental Guidance is suggested.)

Comments you asked about:

"Would you surrender your right to free speech for safety?"  and "Would you give up your right to bear arms to gain safety?"

First response, "Anyone who would surrender liberty for temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety,"  Benjamin Franklin.  The basis of our nation is that liberty is an "inalienable right."  Liberty is not something that is GIVEN by the government, it is "inalienable" and "endowed by the creator."  Liberty can only be TAKEN by government, or by people or groups or pressures external to oneself.  Eternal vigilance must be paid to insure that liberty is neither taken nor surrendered unless voluntarily for the purpose of gaining something more valuable to one's own self.  Ben pretty much sums it up for me in that anyone who surrenders his liberties out of fear or weakness never deserved it to begin with and, by necessity, will not be burdened with it for long anyway and anything purchased by the surrendering of liberty will not last either.  I assume I do not have to go into a longwinded, superfluous explanation regarding the difference between liberty (self-determination) and license (freedom to do as one pleases regardless of whom one hurts or whose liberties one infringes).

The comment about "We do not care about Iraqi deaths because they are not us" stuck in my craw because it was delivered in a tone that said, "all YOU PEOPLE don't give a shit about the people YOU are killing in other nations, especially if they fail to be white and middle class."  I tend to reject "all you people" types of comments on philosophical grounds.  Statements made to lump whole populations into some prejudicial statement, (and in this case: an oddly hypocritical statement condemning prejudice) merely perpetuate miscommunication.  Statements made judging another person's motives, feelings, beliefs are at best speculation and at worst hateful.