Space flight lame, Mars great idea

So, this columnist for the Washington Post sure has some negative stuff to say about space flights. He feels the space station is almost completely useless. But, on the other hand, that trips to the moon are good, and that trips to Mars are even better. Why? Because they are a destination. They are a goal that can lead to further scientific knowledge and possibly new technologies and further understanding of Earth. I thought that's what we were doing in the ISS too, but, what do I know.