21.   And even as judges dismiss the cases as premature, lawyers re-file the litigation days later as each legislative deadline passes without a plan.

22.   And they wonder why a month of picketing and no paychecks has passed without the union holding a mass rally.

23.   Angry Democrats accused him of repudiating a package they had stuck their necks out to pass without a single Republican vote.

24.   And, amazingly, three weeks had passed without a Cowboy player being arrested.

25.   Another day passed without the Brazilian government getting a court to throw out the injunctions that have held up the sale of Cia. Vale do Rio Doce.

26.   And yet, most native-born Americans pass him without a hint of recognition.

27.   As the hours passed without an answer from Juan Gonzalez on Monday, New York Mets officials grew increasingly pessimistic about their chances of signing him.

28.   Backed by the Republican House leadership, the appropriations legislation is expected to come to the floor Wednesday and pass without amendments.

29.   Because the two women died on consecutive Tuesdays, residents feared that someone would be found this Tuesday, but the night passed without a killing, McClanahan said.

30.   Because the note also predicted that Monday would not pass without more deaths, county officials have stepped up security at schools.