GIVEN THE RECENT veto by Bush—it's high time we end the political rhetoric and cliché use of happy talking and the American people started walking the talk when it comes to truly supporting our troops and veterans!

All slogans are subject to interpretation. A range of opinions develop from the liberal left to the conservative far right—with most adopting a middle of the road, moderate view of what is meant. But, what do most think one means when we say, "Support Our Troops and Veterans" truly?

Well, as a former professional soldier and, now, a disabled veteran—I can tell you not only what I believe, but, what most professional military personnel and disabled veterans believe—because, I dedicate most of my life, now, to being a Veteran's Advocate and Activists and Columnist. This is my community, the sub-set of our culture that is made up of former professional military personnel and disabled veterans—I know what I'm talking about and have plenty of credentials to back up my opinions.

Truly supporting our troops and veterans, though they can be seen as two different groups and divided into various budgets, and line items, and statistically skewed in a variety of studies—they are, first and foremost, one and the same. From the time a young person enters military service there is, in fact, a contract made between them and the American people. Ultimately, that contract ensures that should they become disabled in training or wounded in combat the American people, through the Congress and the administrations of the White House, will see to it they have the highest quality of care in a timely manner.

It is imperative that our military personnel believe that this contract will be honored in order for them to perform their military duties to the best of their abilities. Duties that require them to prepare, study and train harder than any civilian-type occupation and risk being injured in the process, and, when called, going into harms way, under the most extreme and hazardous conditions and risk being horribly wounded or losing their lives.

Few civilian careers ask anyone to take such risks. Our law enforcement and fire fighters come close, but, even they don't operate in such hostile environments as frequently.

So, now that it's been 35 years since we've had a military draft, and now that the average American doesn't know diddly squat about the military or vets issues, and only about 1% of us are serving, and another 4% are immediate family members, and about another 5% of us are disabled veterans, making up approximately 10% of our society—let me put the word on the other 90% and try to set you straight with some facts. I'll start by removing the ignorant stereotypes that plague our political thinking and public policy.

So, take a deep breath of humility and read closely—if you have questions e-mail me!

First off, there was and still is such a thing as the Just War Doctrine. Ancient societies laid out the moral, ethical and legal criteria as prerequisites for engaging in warfare. As our Founders laid out all of the prerequisites for sending Americans into harms way by Congress declaring war. It seems many, way too many, didn't get that in their public civics education, or some even in private post-secondary institutions of higher learning—like Bush & Company. So, if you can't carry on a civil conversation about the Great American Just War Tradition, well, consider that a very important homework assignment. Especially if you sincerely care about taxes, or your children and grand children being drafted involuntarily into conscripted military service—got your attention now don't I?

Here's the bottom line on the differences between Just and Unjust Wars: We exhaust all political and diplomatic avenues of resolution first; next, we conduct a comprehensive and objective National Intelligence Estimate to determine the facts, (not fiction), and whether or not there is a clear and present danger; We do an analysis, based on planning to go to war, win quickly, re-establish the peace, pay reparations and come home quickly. Then, we weigh out the potential gain of going to war against all of the estimated costs in lives lost, wounded and financial costs of our treasury; then, and only then, do we go to war only as an absolute last resort!

A good, recent, example of a Just War would be our invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 and a terrible, recent, example of an Unjust War would be the unethical, immoral, illegal pre-emptive un-American invasion of Iraq shortly thereafter!

This is the main concern regarding Bush's Doctrine of Pre-emptive war, as it flies in the face of our own traditions, our history, our law, our ethics, and our morals! It's in direct opposition to the radical, neo-con, nut-case, right-wing let's just "wing it" attitude toward failing to plan has resulted in, only, planning to fail (which is the best way to extend a war and profiteering) and the most obscene act in America ever committed in our history!

This is the debate that did not happen and where we first went wrong. Only old Byrd tried to bring it up, unsuccessfully, and instead of our representatives having a spirited debate on the Great American Just War Tradition—an eerie silence fell over the Congress of the United States and they chose to abdicate their duties and responsibility by giving Bush the authorization to invade Iraq!

So, first and foremost, "Supporting Our Troops" means never, ever, sending them into an Unjust War. Secondly, it means never, ever, sending them without the adequate means in equipment and training. Thirdly, it means never, ever, sending in fewer troops than are realistically needed! All grossly criminal negligent acts committed by Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfield and Rice and, don't forget, all of their portfolio pals for profit.

Truly supporting our veterans means fully funding the Veteran's Administration! No vet should have to fight, often for years or decades, to get the healthcare they were promised!

Once the vet finally gains access to the VA Healthcare system—they should not have to beg to get the appropriate treatment or medications—and that's the sad reality still today!

So, when you hear the Republicans disingenuously state that they "Support Our Troops" or "Veterans"—why not start calling them on that lie? Because that's exactly what it is, nothing more than an out-and-out LIE!

It's just the first in the long, growing list of lies we are now finally uncovering with the on-going investigations.

Those of us who truly support our troops and veterans want them home from Iraq now and the VA fully funded immediately—anything less is clearly un-American!

I'll follow this column by smashing some more stereotypes, like being anti-war somehow undermines the morale of our troops—that's another lie being perpetuated on the people! The truth is our military is pre-dominantly non-political. They don't get much news and what some politician is saying has almost zero impact on our troop's daily lives.