71.   There is so much hyperbole on both sides of the debate that dire predictions invite skepticism.

72.   Three years ago, when smoking in restaurants was banned in California, there were plenty of dire predictions.

73.   This time, they said, people should heed the dire predictions.

74.   Waltrip scoffed at the earliest dire predictions, made by colleagues after rain stopped the first day of group tests last month.

75.   What makes all this particularly remarkable is how the improvement followed dire predictions three years ago that eliminating federally mandated speed limits would be a national disaster.

76.   We saw evidence of that last week when, despite some dire predictions, a flurry of quarterly reports showed continued strength in profits.

77.   Western diplomats in the region point out that there were also dire predictions about what would happen after the Persian Gulf War.

78.   What effect the loss will have is undetermined, but a worst-case scenario could mean budget cutbacks, even layoffs, though city officials avoid such dire predictions.

79.   Contrary to the dire predictions, all indicators suggest confidence in the change of sovereignty is high.

80.   Despite dire predictions of complete collapse and utter deadlock, the various Middle East peace process meetings held in London over the past two days did not end acrimoniously.