Coffee in Coby - War in Europe CXXXVIII

Author’s Note: my apologies for not filing a column last week. My Mayoral responsibilities required more of my attention than usual.

The United States Senate has taken its first step towards authorizing additional sanctions on Moscow, representing the first significant action taken by that body in support of Ukraine’s continued resistance to Russian imperialism this term.

Inspired by late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who had been pushing for aggressive sanctions to be placed on the despotic regime prior to his unexpected passing, the procedural vote was supported by a bipartisan margin of 86 to 12.

If the legislation is ultimately approved by the Senate, the House of Representatives, and President Donald Trump, the measure would provide the executive branch with new authority to sanction Russian officials, impose tariffs on its energy imports, and punish vessels that make up the regime’s shadow fleet.

The legislation would have likely received greater support had it not provided the President with additional powers to impose tariffs. However, since the end result would be the same: economically disincentivizing commerce and/or trade with Moscow, I personally do not believe this is the hill worth dying on.

This action follows movement in the House of Representatives in June when a bipartisan majority backed a discharge petition authorizing additional military loans for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. While neither effort has come to fruition yet, it represents a positive shift in the right direction from Congress.

Furthermore, as reported by The Kyiv Independent, the United States State Department announced earlier this week that they were imposing sanctions on several Russian Defense Ministry entities, two Russian companies, and Russian citizens.

In Solidarity with Ukraine. 

Flood Waters

Although the Schoharie Valley was never in any risk of flooding during last week’s rainstorms, it was an unnerving couple of days nevertheless. Seeing the headlines, photographs, and videos of flash floods and river flooding in Albany and Greene Counties brought back memories of both Irene and the near miss on Christmas Day 2020.

It also serves as a reminder that – as a creek side community – future flooding is not a matter of “if” but “when.” My thoughts are with all those Cities, Villages, and Towns impacted by last week’s storm and I wish them a speedy recovery.

Greetings! I am planning a “mailbag” edition of Coffee in Coby soon, so please send any questions you may have for me about Schoharie County politics, the Atlanta Braves 2021 World Series title or whatever else, and it might just be included. My email is timothycknight93@gmail.com. Cheerio!