Unwed young mothers the "new normal"?

A recent study suggested that more than half of births to women under 30 occur outside of wedlock. The trend appears to transcend racial and ethnic distinctions, though not necessarily economic class differences. Click on this link to read a New York Times report (2-19-12) about the findings. Are there social consequences (beneficial, detrimental?) to the replacement of marriage with a less formal kind of relationship?

Use of drones spreads to the USA

The United States military has achieved a deadly record of success hunting terrorists and insurgents with unmanned drones. Now the use of (non-deadly) drones is spreading to the general public within the USA for purposes as varied as aerial photography to dusting crops. Is it wise for the U.S. government to open up the skies to private operation of drones? Click on this link to read a New York Times article (2-17-12) about the controversy.