by Chris Bodenner

US Ambassador Robert Ford snuck into Hama on Thursday and, naturally, the Assad regime went apeshit.  The State Department's response was admirable:

The fundamental intention (of Mr Ford's visit) was to make absolutely clear with his physical presence that we stand with those Syrians who are expressing their right to speak for change.

Ford was apparently traveling with the French Ambassador, and both departed before this morning's massive protests.  POMED has a good roundup of the media coverage of Ford's visit.

(Video of pro-democracy protestors welcoming Ford's car with olive branches, chanting "we kneel only for God" and "the people demand the fall of the regime.")