Barack Obama actually said...

"The United States condemns the Asad regime's use of brutal violence and human rights abuses and calls on the Asad regime to stop its violence against the Syrian people."

"The United States calls for the release of those who have been imprisoned for exercising the freedom of expression that is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

"We thank the journalists around the world without whom democracy could not flourish and whose courageous work helps hold authorities to account."

"The regime's brutal war on the Syrian people... not only endangers the Syrian people themselves, but could yield greater instability throughout the region."