<blockqoute>1) That's their business, isn't it?</blockqoute>

Sure it is but I'm entitled to my opinion of Ruskie space policy, just as you are about your opinion of American space policy.

<blockqoute>2) I remember back in 1972, all the expectations towards the Shuttle and dropping the Moon wasn't felt as such a mistake knowing what the Shuttle was supposed to achieve.</blockqoute>

And your point is...what? The Clipper will achieve more than the CEV?

<blockqoute>3) What Bush proposes is nothing less than far fewer astronauts in space than it was the case during the Shuttle era. I'm pretty sure plenty will regret the time when so many humans went to space per year.</blockqoute>

I disagree. The CEV will likely lead to many more astronauts in space and they will actually be going to interesting places.