--the incremental approach seems very reasonable to me. Mars is so far away. I think it was Raoul (and probably others as well) who pointed out that technology isn't the only issue in such a prolonged spaceflight. Why not prove concepts closer to home before flinging a crew so deeply into interplanetary space?

--I view our abilities in space as an investment in the future. As the bill points out, getting young people excited about science and technology is a dividend in itself. Therefore it seems a most reasonable use of tax dollars.

--one would hope that the administrator would be fiercely dedicated to making sure the competetive process truly works. A man like O'Keefe (a bean counter looking to stretch dollars til they rip) might just be a very good choice for the job...someone far more interested in doing things the best way, not only the NASA way.

Overall, I very much liked what I read...but then, I don't have to deal with the details of making things like this happen.