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And those consequences can be severe. Just ask Syria what happened when they stepped over the line.
Yeah. I'm sure the international community didn't roll their eyes and snicker when he said that line today.
Maybe Obama can send over the DHS to break up these protests like he did for Occupy Wall Street.
Stop saying "If they step over the line, they'll pay the price."
He loves to hear himself talk? Seems like he has something to say about everything. Never saw anyone talk so much and say so little.
I think it's the President's job to comment on what is happening in the world. Obama's 'red line' doesn't automatically mean we will attack but it does mean we'll get involved. He didn't have support for an attack then and had to play of game of waiting around for popular support - which will come either from another chemical attack or Syria refusing to hand over their chemical weapons (they've only given us 4% so far). The same people calling Obama a weak leader are the same ones who would bash him if he took unilateral action without Congressional approval. These are complicated situations that many people don't seem capable of comprehending.
Now some of this is ridiculous:
I support President Obama here when he speaks of free speech as a fundamental right.
Actually this already happened in western Europe and it took 60 years but it finally largely happened in central and eastern Europe. There is some mop-up duty in places like Byelorussia and Ukraine but invasion is not necessary, this is a fait accompli, they will have democracy.
Isn't one guy drawing a line and promising consequences should the other cross it like the oldest threat in the book? That threat is like thousands of years old. There's a guy in a pool bar in downtown Butte Montana right now threatening another dude with 'if you cross this line.... .' What kind of consequences? Michelle's going to make them all breakfast?
To be fair, I don't think people are upset that he said something. It's that he decided to make a half assed threat. One that he's made in the past that was crossed with no consequences.
Anyone still supporting Obama at this point might as well just tattoo "Dem for life" or "My party wrong or right" on their forehead.
White House: No Decision yet on Ukraine SanctionsWASHINGTON February 20, 2014 (AP)
The White House expressed renewed outrage Thursday over the continuing deadly violence in Ukraine but had reached no decision on whether to impose sanctions.
Military action by the U.S. is not among the options being considered, deputy spokesman Josh Earnest said.
"The options available to the president are being considered with some urgency," he told reporters, adding that sanctions were the only measure under active consideration.
In Brussels, the 28-nation European Union decided Thursday in an emergency meeting to impose sanctions against those behind the violence, including a travel ban and an asset freeze against some Ukrainian officials.
President Barack Obama discussed the situation by telephone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the White House said.
The White House has urged President Viktor Yanukovych to withdraw forces from downtown Kiev immediately.
Earnest said the Ukrainian government has the primary responsibility for keeping the peace, but that the Ukrainian people must also respect their right to peaceful protest. He said "having those rights trampled" is a source of some concern to the U.S., and again called on the government and the opposition to negotiate a political solution to restore order.
"Basic human rights that we hold so dear in this country are not being respected in that country," Earnest said.
Ukrainian government snipers fired upon advancing protesters in the capital of Kiev on Thursday, killing at least 70 people and wounding hundreds of others.
At least 101 people have died this week in the clashes, according to protesters and Ukrainian authorities, a sharp and deadly turn in three months of mostly peaceful activity.
