Glenn is returning to space, because he was a good little DNC robot, mindlessly repeating the Whitehouse ordered spin line of lies at Fred Thompson's Senate Campaign Finance Committee hearings. I have no doubt about this, after watching Glenn's antics at these hearings. Glenn blindly defended his precious DNC and their beloved Campaigner and Chief, in the face of mounting evidence concerning wide spread corruption in the last two election cycles. Watching his facial expressions go from stern to sheepish smiles, as the hearings progressed and facts we made abundantly clear, indicates to me that he knew exactly was going on! Remember, Thompson's accusations were proven true, though after the hearing deadline expired ( typical DNC and Whitehouse stone walling, until the date certain was reached ).

Remember the Keating 5? Yes, John Glenn was up to his eyeballs in this one and a multi-million dollar fine was assessed on him for this corruption ( though it has gone unpaid ). Is the DNC or Whitehouse helping him with this matter?

No one can argue about Glenn's credentials as a past astronaut, and he was the first American to orbit the Earth. Alan Sheppard was the first American in space, a more prestigious position, in my opinion ( but who is comparing the two ).

I respect Glenn's past astronaut accomplishments, but his actions as a Senator leave something to be desired.

I suppose, if you are looking for living American heroes, John Glenn the astronaut is one of them, but John Glenn the Senator, is far from heroic. His lack of any personal integrity in the Senate truely saddened many people.

So, it really is a shame, if politics is why Glenn is returning to space. At least 1 out of 3 of the age related tests that he was being touted for, has been cancelled. Questions about his physical training ( or lack of qualifications there of ) have come up.

If this is a NASA publicity stunt, to stir up interest in the space program and the international space station in particular, so be it. I can completely understand this one. If it is political payback, for a con job in the Senate well done, shame on NASA for getting involved!

- Bongo ( STS-95 taxi service? )