ASSAD IS NOW SHELLING RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS - AND THE ARAB LEAGUE IS SILENT; OBAMA VOTING "PRESENT"

The Syrian army shelled residential areas in central Syria on Wednesday, a sharp escalation in the government's attempts to crush a popular revolt against President Bashar Assad's rule, according to activists and witnesses.

Heavy gunfire was heard as at least three residential neighborhoods were hit by tank fire in the besieged city of Homs, which has seen some of the largest anti-government demonstrations in recent weeks.

"There were loud explosions and gunfire from automatic rifles throughout the night and until this morning," said a terrified resident. "The area is totally besieged, we are being shelled," he told The Associated Press by telephone.

ASSAD IS DOING WHAT QADDAFI ONLY THREATENED, AND THE WORLD -AS LEAD BY OBAMA AND THE UN AND THE ARAB LEAGUE - IS STANDING BY IDLY.

SICKENING.

IF OSAMA WAS WORTHY OF ASSASSINATION THEN SO IS ASSAD - WHO IS SLAUGHTERING HIS OWNED TRAPPED PEOPLE.

WE SHOULD BE BOMBING ASSAD'S SIDE AND TAKING HIM DOWN.

THIS WOULD NOT ONLY LIBERATE THE SYRIANS BUT HASTEN THE COLLAPSE OF HAMAS AND HIZBALLAH - AND IRAN.