You mean, we can just assume that Mars is for the taking? What if our colonization efforts create a slave state with the local folks or something?
"The search for life on Mars is a distraction only, and not an acceptable program for our scientists and countries. We are aiming far below our capability. There should be a manned expedition to Mars underway already with the intent to found a settlement or at least a science outpost eventually. There may or may not be life on Mars now, but there will be as soon as we get the program in gear. " -- RightWhale
Hillary, is that you?