"Believing in what you do and believing in yourself are still are very large part of science. "

Granted that belief provides motivation for scientists, but science itself is thought, not belief.

"Sure some will deny it, but just try trodding on someone's pet theory and see what happens."

Not only have I tried this, in point of fact I do it all the time. It goes with the territory.

"All of us on this bbs believe in our convections about one thing or another,"

YES

"so do most researchers."

NO

"So, belief in data, right or wrong, is still alive and well."

Belief and data are 2 different things.

"As far as water on Mars. I think anyone who studies a topographic map of Mars and says no liquid water could be responsible for the tributaries, tear drop isalnds, and rampart craters is in my opinion way out there in la la land."

Once again, the physical properties of water are well known. Any areological hypothesis which violates those properties simply is not supportable.

ep