Maybe that's why some people fight. But most of the troops over there know that their government is screwed up. They are not brainwashed, but they are only allowed to say certain things to the press so it seems like they are all saying the same crap. People join the service for all sorts of reasons, but when I was in the Marine Corps, all the infantry guys with me were pretty much there for the same reason. We were a bunch of agressive guys who loved violence and shooting. Our jobs were so much fun, but all we did was train and train, and we got to be experts at our trade. Now there is an opportunity to use that training! We jumped at the chance. I don't know one person over there who regrets it really, most are enjoying it, but all my friends still agree that it is a fucked up situation and that both sides are to blame equally. Oh and they are heros! Combat troops fight for each other and their friends next to them. That is what they care about. Yes the government uses them, but they are concerned with other things besides the government when bullets are flying, like not letting down their friends and staying alive. That is heroic to me.