PJ - Nice sentiments. I agree with most of what you are saying.
I am basically a sceptic, but in my experience over the last 10 years dealing in large numbers, it has shown to me that if it is at least possible then it is more than likely probable. Life of course does exist elswhere in our Universe. We may never find out for sure but statistically is is virtually a dead cert. I'd bet my kids lives on it, though I also know, given the vast distances in spacetime, we will probably never know for sure.
When we talk about importance here (of Galaxies) what are we actually saying? And regardless of what importance we assign - what difference will that make? Nature and the cosmos will decide our fates regardless of our "importance". To this end I support the likes of SETI, though I don't think that other "genuine" science projects that will provide beneficial, quantifiable results should suffer because of limited funding (SETI is expendable).
So WE are the most important Galaxy in the Universe, simply because we live here. I would also support the idea that my house is the most important house in the Universe because I and my family live in it. If push comes to Shove then I will do all I can to ensure that my house and my family survive, therefore to me these are the most important things in the Universe. This may all be biological programming but its not something I can ignore or even consider arguing with.
  