[OBone]

For what it's worth, I thought the opening ceremonies of 1984 were fantastic, but that is beside the point.

I think Tony Blair gained the respect of many Americans when he declared his intention of standing by our side. Not via communique, but he came directly in person. Andrew makes a good point when he states that his party should also support Tony in this respect.

[ccmay]

I think Tony Blair gained the respect of many Americans when he declared his intention of standing by our side. Not via communique, but he came directly in person.

I agree. There was something very reassuring about his presence at the speech to Congress the week after Sept. 11th. I think it was good for the personal morale and resolve of Mr. Bush.

Nothing would have been easier for a Labourite baby boomer PM than to follow the lead of the Guardian and the loony Left, which is much more powerful there than here. He did not have to do this to keep himself in power; quite the contrary in fact, he may get the Churchill treatment at the end of the day.

I did not think much of Blair before, due to his cozying up to that pants-dropping hillbilly whose name escapes me at the moment, and I did not expect much of him after September 11-- but since Sept. 11 I have come to have a pleasantly surprised respect for him.

-ccm