I'm not the one that got all bent out of shape and used that phrase. I agree with this for the most part. I did strenuously object to a permanent lunar base, but in the early part of the thread I think you are referring to I stated that Oberg reduced my concerns along those lines. Please note this does not contradict most of my major concerns about the Bush plan. It calls for cocurrent Moon/Mars programs (something I've aupported in a slightly different form) and does not place a Moon base as a prerequisite for Mars. It is a surprisingly go with the flow but make the best of it approach that I can certainly live with provided the real budget is not a ridiculous waste of money. I'm glad to see Zubrin is taking into account political realities rather than just engineering optimums. He has been rightly faulted in the past for being overly confrontational and uncompromising.

I don't mind taking political realities into account. I do mind a supposedly technically adept crowd spouting technical nonsense like it makes sense to go to Mars by launching from the Moon. However, my assumption as to the average level of math skills around here has been greatly lowered. I wasn't expecting differential equations and statistics to be mastered by the average poster but Algebra being considered mind bending or too tough to use on a cherished hobby? Now I know not everyone supports that launch from the Moon approach, but the failure to roundly jeer such comments in the media and from certain posters is most dissappointing.

Regards,
Mark