opponents to get enough time to debate some of these other provisions, but then allow the entire vote to go forward and keeping that provision in there, which would then lead to the end of don t ask, don t tell. but it seems like a furious end game is coming here, but there is so much at play right now. it doesn t seem like we have a directive of whether or not it s really going to come to the floor, do we? we don t. firstly, we have to find out whether or not there are 60 votes to prevent a filibuster. thomas, this is the way things get done in washington. they often get done at the last minute before everybody goes off on recess. so the fact that we re coming up against the clock is not unusual in this town. it doesn t mean i don t like it. all right. mark whittaker, thanks for helping walk us through this process. we ll talk again soon. economic distress is being felt in every state in the nation, but that didn t stop hard-hit alabama and 25 other states from protecting thei