Yes.

Expect downvotes for claiming that we can't realistically get to Mars on any realistic schedule.

Many proposals on sending people to Mars seem to (deliberately?) sidestep the question of coming back. Often they quietly assume that they simply won't come back.

You are totally missing the part about rocks from Mars reaching Earth all the time. If it were an issue, it is already too late. Plus, we have already brought back samples from other bodies with out bothering with such precautions. Also, nothing in scientific findings (nor in the popular press articles you cited as "science") suggests that this is anything other than mineral traces of life that has been dead for millions (more likely billions) of years.

Finally, you may want to drop the ranting tone if you expect anyone to take you seriously.

Having met Casey Handmer personally, I'm confident the last thing he could be accused of is being anti-science. The man knows quite a bit about his domain of expertise!