OK, I’m late to commenting on President Bush’s space initiative. You should have read lots of good commentary already; if you haven’t, then head on over to Mr. Simberg’s blog, Transterrestial Musings, for enlightening space commentary. I think the primary goal of our national space program should be the permanent presence of mankind in space. Science in space is fun, interesting, nice, doable, worthwhile, etc. but should not be the primary goal of a national space progam (at least until we do have a permanent presence). So I have to like Mr. Bush’s call for a manned Moon base followed by a manned trip to Mars because that really advances what I think should be the primary goal. And putting in terms of going somewhere, rather than just being somewhere, makes it sound so much better.