Private rocket explodes

Has the USA lost the plot on space research? The explosion of the Antares rocket carrying 2500 kg of supplies for the ISS is surely a setback for the privatisation of launches. There was "disassembly" of the launch vehicle, followed a few seconds later by the range safety officer giving the self-destruct command to the rocket. That's standard procedure for a rocket that's going off-course: rather than potentially having a giant, out-of-control rocket packed with fuel crashing down into a populated area, NASA will send a signal to explode the vehicle, known as a 'destructive abort.' Maybe NASA should use ESA's Ariane rocket?