I think we are lied to a bit about Mars. I don't think there are any civilizations there but I think that Mars was an abode of life and still has some clinging on in some areas. I think that the water can exist but it is very briny water lowering its freezing point and possibly its sublimation or evaporation point as well.

 

I think one reason for the little “white” lies was mentioned above about the Brookings report on contact with extraterrestrial life. In the report at least at the time it was recommend that a slow leak of the knowledge of life outside our own messed up home should be done. This would prevent panic and keep most religions intact. In my opinion we have been so thoroughly washed in the belief through media and movies that “Aliens” exist its time to start larger leaks of this information.

 

Who knows maybe we could stop fighting each other for 5 minutes to take a look around us and marvel at all of the beauty that has been created and find we are not alone.