Last Shuttle

I had the pleasure of seeing the last shuttle launch live this week from the Canaveral seashore.  Ironic since I have been in Florida for long periods, saw many satellite launches,  but missed the shuttle live.  Even from a distance it was impressive both visually and in its deep booming sound.  It is deeply disappointing that we cannot keep up this effort.  Check out all the images from the Hubble as evidence.  We can re start it, but will lose so much experience now.  Can it be replaced with remote operated drones and private enterprise?  Yes, and probably more efficiently, but this is an area where we really need to have science leadership, and have chosen to abandon while chasing politically correct rainbows.   Re starting that leadership will be expensive and time consuming.  A shame.