re: An excellent commentary
It would appear that we are heading down a road. I don't personally agree with this route. In face believe it to be a dead-end, but I'm not the driver and see many changes of drivers before we reach Mars (if we ever do).
I'm not so sure the Moon should be a forgone conclusion either and Spudis' reasons to go to the Moon has flipped in importance and many of his previously stated reasons are no where to be found now days.