..after we've fully explored the possibility of setting up viable full-time settlements in the Antarctic, the Sahara, the ocean, etc. Places that are plenty dangerous and are comparatively much easier to pull people out of should there be a problem with the artificial environment.
Much as I think we need, truly need, to be working towards the colonization of other planets, unless we take the more controlled risk of fully using this planet, I don't see how space colonization can be supported.
Putting Mars and the moon back into the news is (IMO) Bush's way of saying, "Uh-oh..this war thing's not going quite the way I hoped..umm...uh..LOOK! THE MOON!"
