[Lawdoc]

I fall in with those in favor of manned space flight in general and with the Mars program in particular. The economic benefits to the private sector of the spin offs are undeniable. Keeping our scientific community and our aerospace engineers well employed and academically well honed, continues to give us a decisive edge militarily and secures our future as world class innovators. This does not even begin to address the intangibles that an agressive manned space program brings to our national pride and the benefits of the likely generational flood of children entering our univerisities with renewed interest in (and prepared to study) math and the sciences.

Yes, it is clearly expensive. Yes, there are plenty of short term band aid social prgrams that could use that money. But,(while admittedly it is hard to precisely account for) manned space flight is worth it both economically and in terms of furthering the general good.

I am hoping that my underwear has the heat dissipating properties of shuttle tiles as I stand by to be flamed :)