However I feel such *HOBBIES* should be privately funded! -- Ditto for missions to other planets ('manned' or otherwise), etc... Publicly funded projects *in any field* must possess a clear public interest objective (IMNSHO the [rather vapid] 'All our eggs in one basket' argument doesn’t cut it!) --- Mitigation/prevention of: Pandemics; Natural threats to the ecumen (e.g. impact events, volcanism, etc...); Indeed even 'man made' disasters, are legitimate uses of public funds! legitimate, and, I might add, much less costly!

Bottom line (Re: exploration, colonization, etc.) IF THE PUBLIC WANTS IT - THEY'LL FUND IT - *VOLUNTARILY*!!! (Caps for emphasis only :-) )

Genuine apologies for the 'tude - I am just sooo sick and tired of 'seeing' thousands suffering from disease, tyranny, failed military initiatives, etc... (all of which could be mitigated, reversed, halted and/or prevented via (*adept*) application of monetary resources on the part of the sufferer’s representative governmental organizations) --- All of this -- while grandstanding *CLOWNS* (including, but not limited to, 'Dubya') redirect critical recourses to development of *EXPENSIVE TOYS* -- In clear violation of their collective mandate as *public* _servants_!!!

Don't get me wrong! - I've nothing against space exploration (in and of itself) --- Howbeit, it seems rather basic that the public sector is charged with disposal of its essential (even if prosaic) *duties* _PRIOR_ to sponsorship of *PLAY-TIME*!!!

Nuff Said

With utmost sincerity
Sarandon

PS Respectfully, Mr./Ms. moderator:

I feel this (i.e. my post) is appropriate here – Should you disagree please feel free to delete it – In such case I ask that you please indicate an appropriate forum on which I might repost it --- Thank you :-)