Just my 2cents...
1. When discussing whether or not the Navy "needs" improved NSFS capabilities, one of the first things that should be looked at is potential targets in the near term. I've spent most of my time in 7th fleet and when doing any analysis of targets over there (think NK, among others), you'll notice the proximity of these targets to shore (within 50 miles or so). Specifically NK, their mine-laying capability (quantity, not quality...) is high so you're not going to want to bring ships within the layered defense of their coast. Their C2 is TBD and the "shock and awe" that raining shells could cause could prove to be invaluable.
2. While unfortunate, we never seem to learn from history. During the beginning of the Vietnam conflict, the Navy was generally convinced that the Battleships had served their purpose and it was time to focus on bigger and better things. Big error and many pilots lost their lives because of it. After-action analysis showed that over 75% of the missions in which planes were shot down could have been tasked out to our 16-inch cannons. Cheaper, just as effective - depending on who you ask, and much, much safer.
3. Recently had the opportunity to spend a week with Capt. Case - the last CO of the Mighty Mo'. The stories he had from Desert Storm were pretty insane. Needless to say, being able to lob shells 30 miles was an asset that proved to be invaluable during that conflict.
4. The argument concerning the current littoral crisis --- IMHO, NSFS can be just as valuable to this field of action. The pirates all have "command centers" near the coast. Their locations are anything but secret and they are readily mobile. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to sit 100 miles off the coast, lob 50 shells, pirates run amok amongst themselves while trying to hide and reassemble at a new location several days/weeks later. Sure, it's not a solution to the problem (side rant: the actual solution would never receive political favor) but it throws a relatively cheap wrench in to their plans and disrupts their C2 for some time.
5. Isn't it nice, especially in today's economic cutbacks, to use shells that actually cost less then the targets they are intended for?