BUT AT LEAST THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ISSUED A STRONGLY WORDED STATEMENT: Syrian tanks, soldiers lay siege to southern towns. “Syrian leaders deployed tanks and troops against unarmed demonstrators Monday in a sharp escalation of their effort to crush the widening protest movement, prompting the Obama administration to condemn the deadly crackdown and weigh additional sanctions against the embattled government. . . . Gunfire continued in Daraa on Tuesday as residents took refuge from tanks in the streets and snipers on rooftops, and the government cut off water supplies, news services reported. Human rights groups said security forces have rounded up hundreds of pro-democracy activists across Syria since Friday’s protests.”

I hope we’re doing something to help these people behind the scenes, but I kind of doubt it.