there would also be a lot to be learned in regard to new manufacturing technologies that were lunar based.

Self contained habitation modules could be studied.

Astronomy (Had to throw that one in for EP).

Tourism

And who knows what else...

There is more than enough for humans to do on the moon.

without an atmosphere and with lower gravity, it would eventually become an important hub for any spacefaring civilization.

The only reason against going back to the moon would be the argument that men have no business in space. (Which dovetails with the its to expensive so why bother argument... Note: ths argument would kill the entire space program, not just the manned space program.)

Scott Evil