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Diplomats in Damascus discount the possibility of any military strikes against " the heart of the Arab world " , as one described Syria . The Ministry of Agriculture discounts the possibility that this could spread to cattle , and gives assurances that scrapie is not transmissible to humans . Alan Zelicoff , a bioweapons scientist who is familiar with the classified-research scene through his work at the Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico , discounted the possibility that a security breach at a secret program could have allowed weapons-grade anthrax to slip into a terrorist 's hands . Intelligence analysts , however , discount the possibility of this option , because it is unlikely that Qadhaffi will admit culpability in the massacre . A larger budget with more scientists and increased funding will not overcome human tendencies to live along scenic coastal areas , discount the possibility of damage and overcome the desire to stay with personal possessions at all costs . Last year at this time , I predicted a few ( three ) more interest rate increases ( the Bernanke Fed finally stopped raising rates in August , after four rate hikes ) , discounted the possibility of the inverted U.S. yield curve heralding an imminent recession , and looked for further flattening in the Canada yield curve . The new Chief of Staff , Howard Baker , discounted the possibility and put an end to such speculation but the downward slide apparently continued . Furthermore , in her quest to design games that are " intrinsically meaningful to girls " by addressing " their most important needs and interests , " Laurel discounts the possibility that boys learn techniques for success in the business world - - including competitiveness and drive for achievement - - from " action games .