Re: Barry, did you write this? Nope
No I wouldn't write such a piece. Those mean JPL scientists. Nasty nasty.
I did however write this:
http://www.icamsr.org/docs/spie_4495-13_rock_varnish.pdf
If Manganese-rich rock varnish is covering those Martian rocks we see in the lander images, then Mars has life on a global scale.
BD