My, my such language
It's nice to see someone as steamed as I am about NASA.
Shuttle thermal protection could have been improved to make it more resistant to debris, but it is clear that the fundamental design concept was wrong.
My estimate from 1998 still holds, mankind will need CAPS to prevent an impact catastrophe, and that will be the driver for manned space.
China's CZ5 is coming along quite well. Russia hopes it will get Angara operational, and Ariane is making money.
Watch your blood pressure, Bowser, and if fould language here helps reduce it, I have no objections mysefl.