Chris Hedges on the War in Iraq

I believe that Chris Hedge's view on the war in Iraq, or about his views on war in general is entirely incorrect. Hedge's argues that in war people lose the sense in the meaning of a life and says, "They see that war is a state of almost pure sin with its goals of hatred and destruction. They know how war fosters alienation, leads inevitably to nihilism, and is a turning away from the sanctity and preservation of life." This argument could be held true until one remembers the reasons behind the war, the greater purpose of it all. It could be cynical for me to say that humans can't come together as one and stop war, but you can't just not fight a fight after being attacked. 

Hedges also treats the young soldiers of war as if they are some sort of killing machines. He says regarding these soldiers, "The thrill of destruction fills their days with wild adrenaline highs, strange grotesque landscapes that are hallucinogenic, all accompanied by a sense of purpose and comradeship, overpowers the alienation many left behind. They become accustomed to killing, carrying out acts of slaughter with no more forethought than they take to relieve themselves." I find it insulting to the men and women that voluntarily join the military to fight this fight for the United States. I highly doubt any of these people find taking a human life come with so much ease and effort. I see how someone could come to those sorts of conclusions from seeing the dramatic changes in their lives, but it completely disregards that these soldiers have never seen such grotesque violence, and it must shake them in their core to be participating.