The unreasonable part is the expense involved to make the trip safely. And with war always looming, why waste time and money going to Mars?

I wouldn't say those are very good arguments. It's very expensive to make Hollywood films. It could be argued that they aren't that good for much. We still make them though. "War is looming." Is there ever a time that war isn't "looming"? I can't think of a time like that. That's a horrible excuse to not strive for anything. "I had some goals, but war's looming. I'd better not do anything." Hey, who knows, maybe you're right. Maybe it's better to spend more money on wars. That sounds
really productive.