Let me just say that I despise G.W. and could not possibly think any lower of him. I, too, was initially offended that a manned mission to Mars was proposed by this idiot who probably could not find Mars on a grade school map of the universe. I find my peace in hoping that with the suggestion out there, maybe sometime in the near future, a leader will fund the mission with actual intent to see it's completion. I still see exploration(physical or intellectual) as a good thing despite the various political motives that get us to that point. Huge scientific endeavours are funded through politics, and though I may not agree with the politics, I am usually in support of the science itself.