re: A validity test for a SETI program
I am a major Kepler proponent and have posted here pro this program for ages. However, as I understand it SETI is PRIVATELY funded and takes no $ away from NASA's laggard support for Kepler. I do disagree with the contention that you gotta be able to detect EMI links. SETI is based upon the hypothethis that advanced civs deliberately signal to emerging civs. If they don't do this, most SETI proponents agree that SETI fails.
Obviously if it were a matter of one vs the other the decision is easy - Kepler. Delivers a hard science result.