they could have passed these bills months ago and now it's jammed into a lame-duck session in the congress. and it is kind of amazing just how much congress can get done when they're under a deadline and under the gun. the lame duck, this lame-duck session of the congress has been one of the most productive in recent history. let's see what they've done. they have passed a tax bill compromise, a lot of liberals don't like it, but it does help the unemployed. it's got an unemployment extension. repeal of don't ask, don't tell. that's an accomplishment over the weekend. the food safety bill and now the senate's on the verge of ratifying the s.t.a.r.t. treaty, but of course, the republicans are against that. now if they can get the 9/11 bill through this week, it would be another win for the president of the united states and the democrats, but more importantly, it would be a huge win for the people who really understand sacrifice. we've talked about sacrifice on