"Do you want Columbus to go across the ocean, or do you want to put a message in a bottle and hope that it lands somewhere? I'd rather have actual people be there. Whether they look like Americans or like the inhabitants of some other country, depends on who has the most drive"

In this quote, the speaker is posturing a concern about the preferred method of exploration. They ask if the listener would rather have Christopher Columbus physically travel throughout the ocean to find colonies, or if they would choose to simply send a message in a bottle and hope that it reaches a remote shore. The speaker then expresses their preference for having genuine individuals present in the expedition, no matter their appearance or nationality. They believe that the success of the journey depends on the decision and inspiration of the individuals included. This quote highlights the importance of human effort and determination in attaining objectives, rather than depending on opportunity or luck.