http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITER

So this dud is supposed to produce some energy in 2019... assuming all the steps are followed.

And maybe nuclear fusion will be operational in 2070... after ITER is demonstrating a prototype by 2038.

WTF! I want it NOW. Why is it not operational now? In 1950 they said thermonuclear fusion will be operational in 2000.

If I WANT IT. It SHALL be operational now. So why it isn't?

You realize that leave us 50 years to colonize the whole galaxy after right? according to most Sci-fi authors

Actually you already have it, look up in the sky on a cloudless day. That big yellow/orange thing.....  It's a fusion reactor.

The article says that it is being funded by the EU, India, Japan, China, Russia, South Korea and the United States.  If you were to add "Visual Serotonin" to the list of funders, you might get to see it sooner.  You need a seat at the table.  Send them all your money.

I'm confused. From the title, I thought there would be a science-based explanation of why nuclear fusion is not practical at a human-generated level.

The substance of the OP is that it's not here soon enough.

Let me just say that if it takes 80 years to develop useful fusion, I'm willing to have that happen, since I'm hoping that the species lasts for thousands of years more, we're going to need energy to do that, and there's only so much to take out of the ground.

By coincidence, today I watched a documentary on fusion power.  The scientists and engineers estimated that we'll have fusion power plants by around 2025 - 2040.

The sooner the better.  Then we can tell all the oil-producing countries "Not interested."  Then they can fight amongst themselves over who has the nicest sand.