There are lots of people in positions of power who are passionate in their opposition to Space Exploration. My greatest weakness as an advocate for Space Exploration is my inability to understand these people. These opponents to Space Exploration have been relatively quiet the last few years due to the Space Program being on its knees. I suspect the mindset was: "Why struggle against Space Exploration when it's about to die a natural death anyway". Don't underestimate the power of these opponents! During the Apollo program, the opponents to Space Exploration were highly effective at convincing the government to scrap an extremely expensive Space Exploration infrastructure (arguably one of the most astonishing acts of vandalism in human history). When the elder President Bush proposed the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI), the opponents to Space Exploration came out in droves. There was also internal opposition to SEI within NASA Headquarters because they feared SEI would compromise the Shuttle and Space Station (I kid you not!). Being between a hammer and anvil, SEI died almost immediately to the embarrassment of President Bush. This new initiative (if it is real) will have been blessed by NASA management before Bush announces it. However the external opponents will still fight it, tooth and nail.

A big quarrel I have with Space Advocacy is it spends too much time preaching to the converted. Space advocates love getting into a big group hug and think they are actually achieving something. Arguing effectively with people who are against Space Exploration is a far more useful exercise. You probably won't change the opponent's opinions but you might convince them to be less vocal in their opposition.

Gary