Now we need manned missions to the Moon and Mars?

Like hell we do. Manned missions are not science missions; they're PR engagements. The Prez is only behind a Moon mission because the Chinese plan to land there by 2009, and Bush wants to put up a "No Trespassing" sign to greet them. Maybe he wants men on Mars because he's looking for Saddam's Weapons of Mass Disappearance. Or maybe he wants to place nukes there to shoot at aliens. Who knows with this man? No expense is too great and no motivation too base so long as he doesn't pay any price for it.

If the point is PR and "superiority" rather than real science, let's spend the money on educating our kids, providing health care for our poor, developing non fossil fuels, and paying off Mr. Bush's grave and rising debt.