[TigersEye]

proposing a vague manned mission to Mars without providing even the least compelling reasons, goals and objectives?

What a dufus. The goal is very specific. We're going to Mars. That's the objective. Mars. A manned mission to Mars is quite compelling.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I'm just waiting for some loon to go off the deep end and say we're going to the moon or Mars to drill for oil so Halliburton can get what they were promised from "Bush, Inc.". I may have to don camouflage and lurk around DU to find that sorta tripe.

[Protagoras]

We're going to Mars. That's the objective. Mars. A manned mission to Mars is quite compelling.

I'm not going, if you want to go, pay your own way. If you want someone else to go, take up a collection, and send them.

I need my own money for my objectives.