[He Rides A White Horse]

Experts said the Russians may have released a gas concentration of a powerful sedative like Valium

I doubt it was something like Valium.......so many other agents could have been used that would have been much faster.

[piasa]

Russian authorities didn't identify the gas used in the operation, which freed hundreds of hostages but also resulted in the deaths of more than 100 captives and rebels. Officials claimed none of the hostages were killed by the gas.

OK, so on what evidence are they saying the gas was the cause of the death of 100 hostages? Have the journalists participated in any autopsies to see if the injuries were from gas or from the terrorists' weapons? By most accounts the terrorists had already started killing hostages.

Of course, it wouldn't matter to me. I'd prefer to take my chances with the gas rather than endure being kept captive by a bunch of lunatics.