re: Mixing Black and White...
Geoff have you meet Spudis or Zubrin? Spudis has a following just not as transparently as Zubrin with the Mars Society. But, whether you believe it or not they have similar personalities.
I'm pretty sure when Spudis has his data he will no longer care so strongly to promote the continued return to the Moon. This is what I meant by "abandoned". This is me projecting what his colleagues have said about him and his goals. I could be wrong and would when the time comes apologize to Spudis if he continues to be vocal long after his retirement.