John Kerry claims Syria used Sarin gas; Assad opposition disappointed in Barack Obama

John Kerry, Official Portrait

The US Secretary of State made statements related to chemical weapons’ use in Syria:

September 1, 2013

(CNN) — Evidence shows the Syrian regime used sarin gas in an attack on its people, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“Blood and hair samples that have come to us through an appropriate chain of custody from east Damascus from first responders — it has tested positive for signatures of sarin,” Kerry said.

The evidence — which was gathered independently of the United Nations — strengthens President Barack Obama’s call for military action, he said.

“Each day that goes by, this case is even stronger,” Kerry said, calling it “an overwhelming case.” http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/01/world/meast/syria-civil-war/

Kerry…His comments come a day after U.S. President Barack Obama announced that he will seek congressional approval before launching a military strike against the Syrian government in retaliation for its alleged use of chemical weapons.

Kerry said he is confident that members of the U.S. Congress “will do what is right”, but added that the president has the power to act no matter what Congress decides.

Syria’s state new agency quoted President Bashar al-Assad saying Sunday that Syria was capable of confronting any “external aggression”.

Syria’s opposition says it is disappointed with Obama’s decision to hold off on taking quick action against Damascus.

Opposition officials say any delay in a strike allows Syrian President Bashar al-Assad an opportunity to harm more civilians…

In another development, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls is reported ((by Reuters)) to have said Sunday that France will not take action alone against Syria, and will wait for a decision by U.S. Congress as Paris needs to be part of a coalition. http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-opposition-disappointed-by-obamas-decision/1741099.html

The USA appears to want to take some action, but the Obama Administration wants others to support it doing so. While the USA hopes to get off unscathed by this, that may be a false hope.

As far as Sarin goes, here is some information about it:

Sarin, or GB, is an organophosphorus compound with the formula [(CH3)2CHO]CH3P(O)F. It is a colorless, odorless liquid, used as a chemical weapon owing to its extreme potency as a nerve agent. It has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction in UN Resolution 687. Production and stockpiling of sarin was outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993 where it is classified as a Schedule 1 substance…

Biological Effects

Like other nerve agents, sarin attacks the nervous system. It stops nerves in muscles from switching off. Death will usually occur as a result of asphyxia due to the inability of the muscles involved in breathing to function. Specifically, sarin is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, a protein that degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine after it is released into the synaptic cleft. In vertebrates, acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter used at the neuromuscular junction, where signals are transmitted between neurons from the central nervous systems to muscle fibres. Normally, acetylcholine is released from the neuron to stimulate the muscle, after which it is degraded by acetylcholinesterase, allowing the muscle to relax. A build-up of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, due to the inhibition of cholinesterase, means the neurotransmitter continues to act on the muscle fibre, so that any nerve impulses are effectively continually transmitted. Sarin acts on cholinesterase by forming a covalent bond with the particular serine residue at the active site. Fluoride is the leaving group, and the resulting phosphoester is robust and biologically inactive.

Its mechanism of action resembles that of some commonly used insecticides, such as malathion. In terms of biological activity, it resembles carbamate insecticides such as Sevin and medicines pyridostigmine, neostigmine, and physostigmine.

Even at very low concentrations, sarin can be fatal. Death may follow in one minute after direct ingestion of a lethal dose unless antidotes, typically atropine and pralidoxime, are quickly administered. Atropine, an antagonist to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, is given to treat the physiological symptoms of poisoning. Since muscular response to acetylcholine is mediated through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, atropine does not counteract the muscular symptoms. Pralidoxime can regenerate cholinesterases if administered within approximately five hours. Biperiden, a synthetic acetylcholine antagonist, has been suggested as an alternative to atropine due to its better blood–brain barrier penetration and higher efficacy.

Sarin is estimated to be over 500 times more toxic than cyanide. The LD50 of subcutaneously injected sarin in mice is 172 μg/kg. Treatment measures have been described.

Initial symptoms following exposure to sarin are a runny nose, tightness in the chest and constriction of the pupils. Soon after, the victim has difficulty breathing and experiences nausea and drooling. As the victim continues to lose control of bodily functions, the victim vomits, defecates and urinates. This phase is followed by twitching and jerking. Ultimately, the victim becomes comatose and suffocates in a series of convulsive spasms. Moreover, common mnemonics for the symptomatology of organophosphate poisoning, including sarin gas, are the “killer B’s” of bronchorrhea and bronchospasm because they are the leading cause of death, and SLUDGE – Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Diarrhea, Gastrointestinal distress, and Emesis. Sarin, Wikipedia, viewed 09/01/13)

Essentially, sarin is a “human insecticide.”

No matter who released the chemical weapons in Syria or what the chemicals were, the reality is that the Bible shows that the situation will change in Syria. The Assad regime will either leave or be changed, Damascus will at some point be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1), and Syria will end up supporting a power that will rise up that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43).

Some items of related interest may include:

Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say?
The Future King of the South is Rising Does the Bible teach that there will be a future King of the South in Daniel 11? Is this kingdom rising up now? Did the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) teach that there would be another one? And who is the King of the South? How will this involve Egypt? Is the final King of the South some type of Arab-Muslim confederation? Can Iran be involved? Is there a group that seems to be supporting the goals of the King of the South? Has the Obama Administration supported the rise of this power? This is a YouTube video.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
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