MASSACRE IN SYRIA – AT 5:19 P.M. ET:   A large number of deaths is reported today, as Syrian government forces fired on demonstrators following Friday prayers.  The White House issued a tough, unrelenting wrist slap:

The White House on Friday urged the Syrian government to stop its violence against demonstrators and called on Damascus to follow through on promised reforms. The comments came as Syrian security forces shot to death at least 70 protesters across Syria in the bloodiest day in a month of escalating demonstrations against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Take that, Syria!  Another White House statement, as effective as all the others.

White House spokesman Jay Carney, speaking to reporters as President Barack Obama flew back to Washington from California, said, "We deplore the use of violence." He called on the Syrian government to "cease and desist in the use of violence against protesters" and to follow through on promised reforms.

Don't you just love the legal lingo.  The passion.  The fervor.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Friday echoed the White House's call for a follow through on reforms, saying that said "Emergency Law should be lifted in practice, not just in word."

"I am extremely concerned by the reports of deaths and casualties across Syria" Hague said, adding that the the Syrian government should "exercise restraint instead of repression."

Syrian security forces killed at least 70 protesters on Friday, rights activists said, the bloodiest day in a month of escalating pro-democracy demonstrations against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian rights organization Sawasiah said 70 civilians had been killed across the country, in the biggest demonstrations to sweep Syria so far. Wissam Tarif, director of human rights group Insan, gave a similar death toll.

This probably means even larger demonstrations next week, with heavy casualties. 

By the way, one of the major stories on the Mideast out of Washington is that the Obamans are working feverishly on an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, in order to preempt the Israeli prime minister, who visits in May.  Imagine that.  We work hard to pull the rug out from under an ally, but give a wrist slap to an enemy.  We push Egyptian ally Mubarak out of office, but do almost nothing to push the murderous Assad of Syria.

Welcome to the age of Obama.  What is the far left complaining about?  He is them.

April 22, 2011