21.   Cox argued that state sales tax revenues have been booming, despite dire predictions.

22.   Democrats delivered dire predictions of doom.

23.   Democrats have reacted with dire predictions of the effects of Republican cuts in government insurance programs.

24.   Despite all the dire predictions, the people of the Bay Area have risen to the very special occasion of going out to the ballpark.

25.   Despite dire predictions to the contrary, that software migration has not killed the mainframe.

26.   Despite the dire predictions, Wall Street has thrived since then with few defections to the suburbs.

27.   Despite such dire predictions, Palmer says she will persevere.

28.   Despite the dire predictions of Bush supporters, the throng of voters was not due to Democrats causing political mischief.

29.   Dire predictions notwithstanding, retail sales have improved of late, analysts said.

30.   Dire predictions are easy to make, seldom come true.