Dinkins aides had hoped the Legislature's opposition to the taxes might soften after the election, but the reverse seems to be true.

But opposition had softened since the board voted to change the other method of accounting for mergers, called purchase accounting, to make it less onerous.

But when the elderly saw the opportunity to gain major new Medicare benefits, their opposition to such premiums softened.

But after a series of experiments to see if he could create a computer-animated ballerina, his opposition softened.

But even in that region, there are signs that longtime religious opposition is softening.

But that opposition is softening quickly and not just out of deference to President Clinton.

His appointment of a committee to study the issue was the first sign that his opposition to mayoral control might be softening.

But Mr. Reischauer predicts their opposition will soften since "they don't want to deal with regulators in 50 different states."

Then dichotomy could be harmonized, opposition softened, varying views brought into alignment with one another so that all aspects of truth were sung.

But opposition may be softening, and some critics of the Colombian Army now say it is time to consider counterinsurgency support.