When last I saw that it was in regards to Iraq. And the US wound up begging the ROW for help, and getting turned down. Doesn't even bother anymore.

Regarding space, the US needs all the help it can get. Did you notice recently that the US wasn't able to meet it's obligations to the ISS? That the GDP of the US could not get people and supplies to the ISS as it had committed? That if it were up to the US the ISS would have to have been abandoned, if possible, and maybe deorbited?

Have you happened to have noticed that the US is ramping down it's space exploration, offering sweeping and soaring plans for people to peruse in awe, and not funding them? Giving the space affecionados all they would want to talk about, and then not through with meaningful progress?

Have you seen how the ROW is ramping up it's space activities? How they are patiently and persistently developing their own and newer technologies? How far the ROW has come in the last 20 years, the last 10 years, and how far the US has moved, or not moved?

Lessee. The next Shuttle is how many years away? How long the US has ridden that cheap, reusable, vehicle with the rapid turn-around?

Obviously not. I have to admit that your attitude is rather quaint.

Arf