Russyans Have Gas

      The problem of gas  for the Russyans is not a digestive problem.   It is a marketing/sales/economic problem.  Russya is the largest supplier of natural gas to Western European countries.  Most of Italy's natural gas comes from Russya via a pipeline that runs through Ukraine.  Remember Ukraine?  They were invaded recently by uniformed, unidentified soldiers who occupied the DonBass region in the east.   Ukraine derives a large percentage of its annual income from taxes and fees from the pipeline.
      Russya is building another pipeline through the Baltic Sea to Germany and countries south.   Germany supports this effort.  Poland is against it.  The USA, in the Senate, voted this week to sanction Russyan companies involved in the construction.   This comes as a result of many aggressive moves by the Kremlin and Putin's minions who have made a focused effort to disrupt elections in the US, most recently in last November's presidential race, won by Donald Trump.
      The Pipeline is scheduled for completion in 2019, just around the corner.  Germany stated that the US should stay out of European(German) energy concerns.   A bit self-serving, obviously, but understood, given Germany's pull back from nuclear energy production after the Fukushima accident in Japan.   So, Angela Merkel upbraids the Senate for sanctioning companies and individuals who are participants in the pipeline construction.  This is a clear indication that the Republican dominated Congress will not forget Ukraine and Putin anytime soon.
    Gas.  A hot commodity these days, here, there, and everywhere.   Ukraine government spokesmen praised the Senate's actions.  The next step is a review in the US House of Representatives.  Paul Ryan will handle this with ease.