Unfortunately I cannot say I am particularly knowledgeable on the matter, but I agree with you as an American. I don't think that there is any reason not to take advantage of the support the Russian space program provides in this time, and with any luck the shuttle will be back up and running without too much of a delay.
I could also see some cash infusion from the U.S. into the Russian program from this, as it would make sense to help fund their programs while ours are suspended.
I am hopeful that this turns out to be a problem in the shuttle that is easily solved, though I think the future of both programs is a next-generation vehicle.
I heard on CNN earlier a bit of talk about how the software could be at fault in this accident. The gist of it was that the reentry angle is very precise, as only the belly of the shuttle is extensively shielded against the heat of reentry. If the software miscalculates things slightly, an unprotected part of the shuttle can be burned up causing an accident like this.
Of course, this is total speculation and it will be a while before we know anything definitive on the causes of this...
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I could also see some cash infusion from the U.S. into the Russian program from this, as it would make sense to help fund their programs while ours are suspended.
I am hopeful that this turns out to be a problem in the shuttle that is easily solved, though I think the future of both programs is a next-generation vehicle.
Of course, this is total speculation and it will be a while before we know anything definitive on the causes of this...