So there I was, out on a limb, taking a cheap shot, and whoosh!
Got the limb chopped off.
However, your correctly pointing out that my simplistic point was not valid, you make a serious poing.
America's space effort suffered because of her involvement in a pointless war. Which was initiated by Eisenhower, supporting the French, then by Kennedy who involved the US directly.
I guess it's true. If one doesn't learn the lessons of history, one is doomed to repeat the mistakes.
Arf