And the winner is ...

"I'm not sure we will ever see anyone declare victory in Iraq," Army Gen. Ray Odierno told reporters at the Pentagon.

No victory in the Middle East? Uh-oh, someone's been reading history books.

Stop it!

There is a wonderfully insightful message buried within a press release from a U.S. senator urging further intrusion by the federal government into states' responsibilities.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) wants the Obama administration to endorse tough penalties for states that refuse to impose bans on texting while driving, as proposed in legislation offered by Schumer this summer.

His bill would require states to pass legislation outlawing texting while driving. Should they not, the states would risk losing 25 percent of their federal highway funds.

Here's the good part:

“The fact is, the federal government cannot, by itself, outlaw texting while driving. Only states can. But the federal government can make it hard for those states that don’t go along.”

You are correct, senator. It is the states' responsibility, so butt out.

Distracted driving is dangerous and should be avoided.

Further intrusion by the federal government into states' rights is dangerous (and may have already passed the point of salvaging the intentions of our founding fathers) and should be avoided.