[RightWhale]

this will engender further ill will amongst euroweenies

Which would bother them more, that they would be overwhelmed by Russia or by America? If it's Russia their expectations would be over and they wouldn't have a future to worry about. If it's America they would be colonized and their culture would disappear.

It seems the latter happened, but then the Americans withdrew. They are left with no culture and not even colonial status. Of course the Muslims moved into the vacuum. Like China after China's culture was destroyed, they are looking around for something to rebuild a culture, and it seems space development is it.

[LibWhacker]

I think this is great, RW. I really do. All these countries competing to see who can go the furthest and do the most in space . . . It's what we've been waiting for! Of course, you realize, we're gonna have to win, lol. Can't have a bunch of foreigners dominating us from outer space!