Try not to look too far ahead, but keep your eyes on the future.

March 1 Headline in their Part 2
Love it or leave it, marriage for decades has been one of many ways American couples get together

...OK, Marriage has been apart of the American way of life since the first settlements (didn't Pocahontas marry John Rolfe?). BUT Newsday seems that it's only been decades? Which decade, the 1950's? 1960's? Does this mean that George & Martha, John & Dolly, Abe & Mary, Franklin & Eleanor lived in sin?

And he's a great research statement:
"Whether the partners are gay or straight, big names or nobodies, is the institution - around at least since Roman times - in good shape or bad?"
...Roman Times? Um, Newsday, how about before that? Ever hear of Odysseus and Penelope (Fictional yes, but the institution was around for the Greeks), or King Nebuchadnezzar and his wife Amyitis (he built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for her) or Abraham and Sarah (the founders of many nations and religions). Hmmm...Newsday, sloppy.