Since the White House seems not to know

Syrian tanks have been shelling the port city of Latakia for the last four days in an attempt to end protests against the government of Bashir al Assad. Latest estimates put the dead at more than 50 but new reports of casualties keep coming in. When the shelling stops, the government forces go into various neighborhoods and arrest people who are suspected by the government of being part of the protest movement. Because of the large number arrested, the prisoners are being held in the local stadium, the only structure large enough to hold them all. According to the latest reports, there are close to one thousand men who have been taken to the stadium. Their fate is uncertain.

For his part, president Obama finished his campaign swing on the big black bus. Now he is going on vacation. Maybe he will give a speech about Syria next month when he gets back to Washington. Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen, however.