I think we in “PHP Land” can be really happy Facebook came up with HHVM. It seems to me the PHP devs have gotten a wake up call and a more positive outlook for PHP can be seen for everyone. It isn’t perfect, but what is perfect in life? As for the exact changes in PHP7, I’ll wait until the first betas roll out to start to have an opinion on them.
As for Uncle Tony’s rant. Check out his request for support on LinkedIn’s PHP Group. He basically got stomped on by everyone who answered, including me. One of posters noted the best argument about removing PHP4 style constructors. He said…
Q: Again, two choices: both have identical results except one has a slight chance of failure and the other does not. Which do you choose?
A: Depends:
- Uncle Tony: The option with the slight chance of failure.
- Everyone else in the entire universe who has lived, is living, or will live: The option with no chance of failure.
The discussion is entertaining, if nothing else. 
Scott