Need Help Understanding NASA's Plan

[jyl]

Can anyone point me toward a clear explanation of NASA's current vision for the space program?

I'm reading that the current plan is to build a new generation of earth-to-orbit vehicles using Shuttle components, and to land people on the Moon by 2018, with a manned Mars mission further off.

I would like to understand the overall strategy, mission, and vision that is behind this.

By the way, I am not at all anti-NASA and I support vigorous space exploration. I just want to understand what's behind the specific decisions. For example, why return to the Moon? Is there something there that we want? Is it as a base for an eventual Mars mission, and does it make more sense to use the Moon versus a space station in Earth orbit?

[scottmandue]

I also support NASA...

But see no reason to send humans to Mars.

Not sure the pro/con of space station Vs moon station.