Besides the previously mentioned reasons, a moon colony would increase interest in NASA (they deninitely need to do something to capture the public's imagination) and would also give some respect to America (something that it desperately needs). I must say that it would be a dissapointment if some other nation ends up in control of the moon, as we were the first ones there. It would be a good project for NASA, especially because the ISS program doesn't seem to be going very smoothly. A moon colony- fun for the whole family...