"Once again lunar promotors need to promote stand alone projects that make sense not ones that require hitching on to other worthwhile projects such as NEO detection or Martian exploration. It does make sense however to test equipment designed for human exploration of Mars on the Moon if little modification is needed in order to send more capable human missions to the Moon to evaluate lunar resources. This is a far lower commitment of resources however than the establishment of a permanent lunar base. "

Ed and others may want NASA to establish a lunar base, but I'm strongly opposed to such an idea (but I'm not strongly opposed to NASA building a Martian base). The reason, is that I "believe somewhat" in idea that NASA should not be involved in Near Space- it should be involved in exploration. It doesn't make any sense for NASA to build a Lunar base (private sector could do this) whereas a Martian base does make sense- it *may* be needed for exploration of Mars.
"All this" has to do with "timing" and correct sequence which I've explained before.