Bush, the moon, and a permanent base there

Why all the interest in the moon? In a recent thread I mentioned the fact that Bush wants to send a manned, nuclear ship to mars.
And now- we have a moon colony coming... is the rush because of the Chinese? Mmmm...
I thought I've heard it all from Bush until this-


"WASHINGTON � President Bush wants to send Americans back to the moon � and may leave a permanent presence there � in a bold new vision for space exploration, administration officials said yesterday.

The return to the moon would be for the purpose of technological advancements in technology, including energy exploration and testing a military rocket engine.

And a permanent presence likely will include robots and communication satellites........."

To The Moon-

I think its because of the Chiniese.

Whoever holds the moon has the ultimate high ground, screw nukes from there all you would have do is throw rocks. one good size rock could vaporize a city read "the moon is a harsh mistress" by Robert Heinlin to see what would happen in a war between the earth and the moon