query during transaction?

Hi,

I'm using postgresql 6.5.1 on RH6.0 and can't do a select during a
transaction. Is there a reason for this behavior?

Here is a simplified example:

psql wwmix
Welcome to the POSTGRESQL interactive sql monitor:
Please read the file COPYRIGHT for copyright terms of POSTGRESQL
[PostgreSQL 6.5.1 on i686-pc-linux-gnu, compiled by gcc 2.7.2.3]

type \? for help on slash commands
type \q to quit
type \g or terminate with semicolon to execute query
You are currently connected to the database: wwmix

wwmix=> begin transaction;
BEGIN
wwmix=> select * from users;
NOTICE: (transaction aborted): queries ignored until END
*ABORT STATE*
wwmix=> end transaction;
END

Thanks,
--
Jeff Paquette
paquette(at)mediaone(dot)net, paquette(at)acm(dot)org
http://atnetsend.ne.mediaone.net