I think you misunderstand the point of many comments on those topics. Killing the shuttle is not something I hear from most people who want to go to Mars. Going beyond the shuttle is.
Killing the ISS on the other hand is something a lot of space fans consider. What is the point in it if you are going to cut the funding needed to do 75 to 90 % of the science it was supposed to do? Many also don't think the original science plans were worth much. I'm on the fence myself as I don't see from an engineering angle that the "pure crystals" research has much of an industrial potential at $10,000/lbs launch costs and the hype on that makes me suspicious of the real potential of other research planned.
My own stance is that we should go ahead and fund the complete ISS to get at least some return on tax payer dollars alrteady spent, or we have wasted a tremendous amount of money. However, I feel those against it do have valid points that have absolutely nothing to do with a desire to go to Mars other than stop wasting money on something useless and start spending it on something worthwhile.
You also seem to be confusing SFF views which are a small fraction of space enthusiasts with those of the much more numerous PS, NSS, and MS members. While most of their members support the privatiztion of space idea, few take the antagonistic attitude toward NASA that SFF does.
Regards,
Mark
Space/Science » in reply to Re: NASA spolight: a thought
Don't Think So