While I agree that his speech was positively marvelous, a work of genius GB hasn't seen seen since Churchill, I have to say that their alliance with us will most likely be viewed as no big deal. A few reasons: First of all, it's part of the logical progression that if the top of the 'civilized' countries will act against a common threat, the other one will too.......especially if they're close allies. The second reason is, Tony Blair would LOVE to use this as an excuse to take a shot at the IRA. What hard to understand is that the IRA has virtually given up trying to change the history of Irland. They garner power from chaos, which makes them extremely dangerous to the stability in those parts. The last time the Brits tried to deal with'em in the forcefull way, people got cheesed because the SAS seems a little 'harsh', so now he has the perfect excuse to unleash them again. I'm not downing his speech, just trying to lend some insight. -d