[Destro]

Maybe you need a man with a pick and shovel to find evidence of water below ground level???

[Phil V.]

Maybe you need a man with a pick and shovel to find evidence of water . . .

THAT'S HARD WORK! Why pick on MEN? Gurlz dig.

[PokeyJoe]

No, you need to find something that will make people rich.

Think California Gold Rush, Alaska Gold Rush, Colorado Gold Rush, Arizona Silver Rush, Texas Oil Rush, The Oklahoma Land Rush, and every other endeavor of discovery. It was done because poor men wanted to become rich men and "stake their claim".

What we need is a modern rail road to take settlers up, and bring cargo back.

Governments should not claim ownership of Mars - but why not allow a government to grant certain private property rights to those who get their first? (sorta like the rail roads right of way on either side of the train track)

[xzins]

A California 49er (with his daughter clementine.)

And a mule. :>)

[dr_who_2]

Certainly, but I hope that man would have the sense to bring some plentiful Earth water with him while he's prospecting for Martian water.

[searchandrecovery]

Maybe you need a man with a pick and shovel to find evidence of water below ground level???

Nah, nasa left out the one piece of equiptment that would have located any water - a dowsing rod.