...a historic space event occurred and politicians ignored it and
TV and newspaper reporters gave it secondary coverage? Huh?

That's exactly what happened when these latest reports
of smacking huge quantities of frozen water being discovered
beneath the surface of Mars by the 2001 Mars Odyssey were announced and published in the dedicated science journal, SCIENCE.

Space enthusiasts from the PLANETARY SOCIETY, NSS, and here
at HABITABLEZONE.COM went wild with the news,
clamoring for a manned mission to Mars within 20 years as a result of the discovery.
But what about politicians? Senator? Reps? Your president, Dubya?
What did they have to say about this historic discovery and spacenews event?....Afterall, without politicians and the taxpayers
money they control, you ain't going to Mars.
What did all those politicians say about the discovery of abundant frozen martian water?...They - said - diddly - squat. Nadda! Zippo! Zilch! Zero!

As far as journalists go, they weren't much better in the publicity department, with one or two exceptions...exceptions like you, Alan Boyle.
God bless you, Mr. Boyle...Keep up the good work.

Jacob