continues to be disputed mindlessly, as if somehow by denying the fact that liquid water can exist on the surface of Mars can prevent it from doing so.

Those who continue to deny the possibility of liquid water on the Martian surface are the cranks.

On the other hand, it may not matter all that much in the vast, eternal scheme. The likelihood that Mars was ever an Ocean Planet is relatively slim. Liquid water has undoubtedly flowed and pooled over the surface many times, and to a modest degree does so to this day, but it will generally not do so extensively under current or likely past conditions -- with some exceptions.

Reservoirs of liquid water are to be found below the surface, and that's where we will eventually discover the real action. And I'm sure it will be far more interesting than has yet been imagined!

Cheers, BRFelix