By steven g. vegh
The Virginian-Pilot
Lt. Cmdr. John F. Sharpe, who is being investigated by the Navy over allegations that he has promoted anti-Semitic and supremacist views, has published two books of anti-war writings while also serving in the military.
The Navy declined to comment Friday on Sharpe or his books, "Neo-Conned! Just War Principles: A Condemnation of War in Iraq," and "Neo-Conned Again: Hypocrisy, Lawlessness and the Rape of Iraq."
Sharpe uses the name J. Forrest Sharpe in his books, copyrighted by IHS Press, a company he co-founded.
While not commenting specifically on Sharpe's case, Elizabeth Hillman, a law professor at Rutgers University, said that military personnel generally retain the right of free speech.
But she said military law prohibits comments that could have a negative impact on morale or "good order." She said commanding officers decide whether specific writings or comments violate that standard.
Sharpe was accused of having anti-Semitic and supremacist views in an article on Catholic extremists published by the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center.
He was relieved of duty as public affairs officer on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson on March 7 pending Navy inquiry.
Sharpe has denied the accusations.
"If they decide I've done something wrong, they'll tell me what it is," Sharpe said in a March 9 interview with The Virginian-Pilot.
"I'm far more confident they may just say, 'Look, we've looked into this, we don't think you're very PC on certain subjects, but you know, we really don't care, frankly, just go back to work,' " he said.
Sharpe, who lives in Isle of Wight County, declined to comment further this week.
The Naval Academy graduate and his co-editor brand the Iraq conflict "a criminal onslaught" in one of their books.
Both books are compilations of essays critical of the war by scholars, clergy and commentators, including Patrick J. Buchanan and Noam Chomsky.
According to the "Neo-Conned" Web site, the books condemn "the neoconservatives' war in Iraq." It says the books explore "the immorality, injustice, and illegality of the war in Iraq in light of the traditional Christian just-war doctrine and other legal, political, and historical considerations."
The books have back-cover excerpts of positive reviews that were printed in publications, including The Virginian-Pilot, the San Diego Union-Tribune, The American Conservative magazine, and The Catholic Herald newspaper in Britain.
"President Bush and his neocon cohorts launched an aggressive war of political conquest," the editors state in "Neo-Conned!"
The books' other co-editor is Deric L. O'Huallachain of Ireland, Sharpe has said.
In prefaces dubbed "the editors' gloss," the books call the war "immoral and illegal" and question whether Saddam Hussein's hanging last year was "an execution... or a lynching?"
Another preface states, "There's at least one man who should be held responsible for thousands of deaths and a gross violation of the natural and international law, and he sits in the White House."
Sharpe's written criticism of the war isn't unheard of among military members. Last fall, a group of active-duty military personnel, including an enlisted sailor on the Norfolk-based carrier Theodore Roosevelt, launched an anti-war Web site called "An Appeal for Redress."
According to the "Neo-Conned" Web site, Sharpe studied English, political thought and history at the Naval Academy. After graduating in 1993, he served on submarines for seven years and was also at the Pentagon and in Italy.
The books themselves don't include any biographical information about him.
According to the Web site, Sharpe has promoted his books in person at bookstores. He has said his IHS Press is a nonprofit, home business-style company.
The "Neo-Conned" Web site includes an interview with Ibrahim Ebeid, described as an editor of an "interesting" Arab Web site, Al-Moharer.net.
In the interview, Ebeid stated that Saddam Hussein was "the legitimate President" of Iraq and that Saddam's Baath Party would "liberate" Iraq "from the Anglo-Saxon Zionist occupation."
On the Al-Moharer site, an essay by Ebeid states that the United States wants to split up Iraq "in order to control the wealth of Iraq and to satisfy the illegal Zionist entity," an apparent reference to Israel.
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Annapolis
I personally would expect a little more from an academy grad. Just goes to show how a bad apple can slide into any basket.
Sad, sad, sad
It is really sad that a person in the military is being condemned for exercising his first amendment right of freedom of expression both spoken and written. I just cant believe that by taking the oath to defend your country you loose your constitutional rights. IThat is one of the craziest things I have ever heard. And the miltiary wonders why retention and enlistment is low??? If you dont agree with his views then dont purchase and the key word here is purchase his book. He has fought to protect the constitutional rights of this country and to express his views is one of those rights. Thank you to all who have fought to allow me to share the right he is exercising...the freedom to express my views.
Government should benefit
from any and all monies from these writings. He was on active duty and the time invested in writing belonged to the Navy
Ann
Kudos to Carol's husband
For saying "I disagreee completely with his view, but I served to protect his right to say it". It is soldiers like Mr. Mccuiston who make me proud of our nation. Freedom of speech is Mr. Sharpe's inherent human right to voice his opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment. Seems we tend to forget what it is we are fighting for. If you don't like what he is saying, don't buy his book.
Support & Defend
Sharpe - you need a new line of work. I'm all about free speech and your rights... but, you took an oath that you failed to live by and for that you need to take your punishment and move on. I'm not pro Iraq war. I supported the president in the beginning when it made sense to enforce the UN resolutions but when the dust settled and there were no WMD's and we hadn't fought a war with overwhelming force or given our military the equipment to be safe to execute the war... my support has wained. I think free speech is critical, but while under oath in a leadership position you need to support the Commander in Chief and live up to your responsibilities and keep your opinions to yourself until you can resign. It is the responsibility of the American people to hold the elected officials accountable.
Navy Officer should be keel hauled
What in the blue blazes has happened to my beloved Navy? Since when has it been ok to make disrespectful remarks about your commander in chief? When I was in the Naval Reserves and Bill Clinton was President they wouldn't let us make any negative remarks about him. Even if he was or is a gut-less wonder. I forget which of the articles it is but there are about 3 they could charge him with. Inciting a mutiney;conduct unbecoming an officer;disrespect towards towards the commander in chief just to name a few. Remember these words, "Loose Lips - Sink Ships".
All Americans do Have Freedom of Speech
Way-to-go Sharpe...you go with your freedom as far as you'd like - it's your right!
I don't care...
Who you are, or who you think you are, if you are in the US Military you do not have the right to free speech. Any idiot knows that. It's the little part about "disrespecting a superior officer" line they have in that funny little rule book that even a stupid recruit knows out of bootcamp. And don't bother me with that "Bush is not superior" garbage, he is the commander of the US forces at the moment, if you don't like it get the heck out of my military. I sort of hope they hang him.
Another Kerry?
Maybe they will have a wall of heros and this individual will get his name on it. i.e. John Kerry on NV wall of heros. I swore an oath to defend this country I guess this sailor refused too do the same.
The Truth and nothing but.....
I don't have to read Lt. Cmdr. Sharpes book. I knew when I joined other war protesters in downtown Norfolk in Feb. 2003 that the invasion of Iraq was illegal and criminal. We knew then that President Bush and his cohorts were manipulating the truth. Sadly, there were and still are not enough people in the military and in the civilian community who have the courage to point out the truth about this colossal tragedy called the "Iraq war"! Sadly too, many in the media and that includes some at the Va. Pilot did not do their homework and swallowed the lies and misleading statements by this administration hook, line, and sinker. Even now, people who speak the truth are called anti-American, traitors or worse. Hopefully the Democrats will show they have a spine and end this tragedy. How many innocent people have died unnecessarily, and how many people have been changed physically and mentally forever, all because of this incompetent, arrogant and yes, criminal administration?
first amendment
Although I disagree completly with his view. The reason I servered in combat was to protect his right to say it.
Carols husband