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Birth: Nov. 17, 1961
Death: Jun. 15, 1985
United States Navy Sailor, Murder Victim.
While flying home from Athens, Greece, Lebanese terrorists hijacked his airplane, Trans World Airlines Flight 847, and he was murdered solely because he was an American sailor. His body was dumped on the tarmac below the airplane and left there for several hours before the terrorists allowed authorities to remove it.
On the return flight, TWA 847, members of the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah hijacked the flight and forced it to fly to Algiers, where they demanded the release of 435 Arab prisoners held by Israel. When their demands were not met, they forced the airplane to fly to Beirut, Lebanon. Seizing the passengers' passports, the terrorists discovered several American sailors aboard the plane. They singled out Stetham and beat him senselessly for several hours, attempting to break his will. Infuriated by his unwavering inner strength and his calm under the punishment, the hijackers then executed him and dumped his body on the ground. As they killed him with a pistol shot to the head, his last words were a prayer to God for strength. His face and body was so badly mangled that he could only be identified by his fingerprints ...
For 17 days, the hijackers kept the passengers hostage, before giving in and releasing them.
"For heroic achievement on 14 June 1985 while assigned to Detachment NM-85 of Underwater Construction Team One, deployed to the Naval Communications Station Nea Makri, Greece.Petty Officer Stethem displayed exceptional valor and professional integrity while a hostage of militant Shiite hijackers of TWA Flight 847 at Athens International Airport, Algiers, Algeria, and at Beirut, Lebanon. Exhibiting physical, moral, and emotional courage beyond extraordinary limits, Petty Officer Stetham endured a senseless and brutal beating at the hands of his fanatical captors. He drew upon an unwavering inner strength and absorbed the punishment. The hijackers were infuriated by his refusal to succumb, a symbol to them of the strength of the United States of America, and in their cowardly desperation, shot him to death. Petty Officer Stetham's courage, steadfast determination, and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Signed by John Lehman, Secretary of the Navy."
So, I thought I would, as a reminder, start posting some of the little things that the Arab/Muslim extremists have been perpetrating on the western world for the past thirty plus years ... in no particular order.
It will take time but the Middle East has a bright future. One country in particular...JORDAN. The current King of Jordan was educated in my state...Mass. The now dead former King of Jordan married an American Movie Star who made sure her children were schooled in the United States
Now that the Son of this Dead King and American Actress has taken the reigns...Jordan has become an even greater State of Moderate Islamic Beliefs and is a major U.S. Ally.
I see the same happening in Egypt, Lybia...etc. Iran will very soon be the next Progressive...although not Arab...they are formerly Persian...State in the Region. Despite all the current talk of WAR and Irans Hardcore Old Guard Religious Leadership with their little Puppet of a President who was Elected by Fraud...Iran has a population that has over 70% of it's people UNDER the age of 30 Years old. 90% of Irans population is Pro-Democracy. It is but a matter between now 11 and 17 months that the Pro-Democracy Movement will take over Leadership from the crumbling control of Extremists. The same thing can almost be said about Syria...although more time may be required since Syria has shown a willingness to overtly KILL any who dissent.
Young, Computer Savy Muslims...who know how to get around the Iranian Government WEB filters with everything from Smart Phones to Laptops and Tablets...are the Future of the Middle East. They desire Freedom...yet they have to get through Tanks and Guns...since most Soldiers are of the same age...the Military will probably not carry through with any orders to kill their own...although in Syria...the Military is of an upper class and is controlled by Damascus. But...I have been there and have Faith this will eventually occur all across the Middle East. Split Infinity
Originally posted by yourmaker
point 1 wouldn't be any of those, but rather for the trillion dollars in resources and a geo-political stronghold to base influence from, as well as a consistent propaganda network and training ground for troops so when the changeover back to symetric warfare occurs when China enters the battlefield we'll be semi ready.
Originally posted by beezzer
reply to post by Another10Pin
When the focus becomes more on questionable actions made by a few soldiers rather than our fight against a terrorist organization, the war has become lost.
When we're discussing financial deals and not the brutal ideology that has enslaved generations of people, the war has been lost.
When we're more focused on an election campaign, secret service agents playing with hookers, government waste, than the lives of american military service men and women fighting in a foreign country, the war has been lost.
It's time to come home.
Originally posted by Another10Pin
Again, I guess it comes down to perceptions and beliefs. I would ask why is the American media focusing on these things? Why do they jump from one subject matter to the other without a proper discussion or debate? Is this another lost war? Another Vietnam? Communism eventually burned itself out. Will Arab/Muslim extremism? Is this a clash of cultures without end?
Originally posted by beezzer
Originally posted by Another10Pin
Again, I guess it comes down to perceptions and beliefs. I would ask why is the American media focusing on these things? Why do they jump from one subject matter to the other without a proper discussion or debate? Is this another lost war? Another Vietnam? Communism eventually burned itself out. Will Arab/Muslim extremism? Is this a clash of cultures without end?
The american media focuses on the trivial because it's protecting Obama. Instead of discussing the war, it changes the narritive to discuss the actions taking place within the war and not the root cause of why we're there.
It won't be another Vietnam until a conservative becomes president.
Originally posted by Another10Pin
Originally posted by yourmaker
point 1 wouldn't be any of those, but rather for the trillion dollars in resources and a geo-political stronghold to base influence from, as well as a consistent propaganda network and training ground for troops so when the changeover back to symetric warfare occurs when China enters the battlefield we'll be semi ready.
After I had posted this, I regretted it almost immediately ... for a variety of reasons. One being that because even though this is what I see, I also know that there is always a different perspective - and I don't know that shape or form of the perspective. It's like from soldier, to platoon commander, to company comander, to battalion commander, etc. I will consider your proposal, as it has validity.
Originally posted by SplitInfinity
reply to post by Another10Pin
I agree that even though Jordan is a Progressive Muslim Country and Ally of the U.S....it is still not a Democracy thus eventually there will be issues.
Saudi Arabia...although having a population that is appeased with Oil Money....it is still a Kingdom where there is little rights for Women and Sexual Frustrated Young Men who cannot blow off steam as Alchohol is illegal as well as Porn or if you want sex you need to be Married and to get married you need money...so a bunch of 18 years old poor Saudi Kids get confronted by a Man who runs a Madrassa...a Islamic School that teaches Islamic Extremizm and these young Virgins frustrated are fed...given a place to stay and taught ...well if you drive this bomb laden truck into a building you will die and become a Martyr and go to Paradise with 50 or 100 Virgins waiting to please you....so they do it have nothing to loose.
The Damn Saudi Government plays both sides...one side being a U.S. Ally and fighting Terorists and the other side...appeasing their own internal extremist groups by paying the money to Create Madrassas.
THEY...will be in DEEP TROUBLE one day. Split Infinity