Category: Uncategorized

Ghosts in the Data Center Machine

A Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism (CCDS) Statement
(May 2026)

Climate change is a key challenge of our time, with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers casting this issue into sharp relief. AI and data centers simultaneously escalate ongoing oligopoly and the concentration of wealth.

According to one source, three corporate giants presently control about 58% of worldwide “hyperscale” capacity. Such magnitude of development is a major consideration in both environmental and socioeconomic impact. An announced merger of NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy would create the “world’s largest regulated electricity provider” for the purpose of serving Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley.”

A 40,000-acre data center approved in Utah is larger than Manhattan; behind this project is Canadian billionaire Kevin O’Leary. A proposed Nevada data center would siphon away electricity from 49,000 existing users in Los Angeles. Hundreds of data centers have been proposed, are under construction, or are already in operation across the US.

As in the 19th Century Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence information processing and data management is of benefit to society as a whole. Simultaneously, substantial socioeconomic and environmental costs are produced. Ways must be explored and pursued to maximize the potential of AI and data centers while eliminating or minimizing their adverse effects. Large and justifiable public outpourings against data centers and the top-down fashion in which they continue to be imposed have been generated around the country. This growing opposition is deserving of active involvement and support.

CCDS endorses the “Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act” legislation introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to impose a national hold on data center construction until concerns are better identified and addressed. Further legislation featuring anti-trust provisions must be enacted in concert with expanded public ownership.

CCDS supports the rights of localities to exercise democratic control, free of corporate or top-down political interference, over the nature and purposes served by AI and data centers. For example, an Indiana coalition of 27 civic organizations have called for a statewide
moratorium. Besides control over data center placement, size, and aesthetics, there must be strict limits on public surveillance, cryptocurrency, military applications and other anti-social uses. More than just involved with construction, operations, and maintenance, union labor must be at the decision-making table.

Resources for organizing and mobilizing campaigns around AI and date center issues can readily be found online. CCDS urges members and supporters to get involved, if not already. All matters of far-ranging consequence to the future of the planet and the public interest must be subject to popular will and democratic control.

 

EMERGENCY HEALTH FUNDRAISER FOR CUBA

 

CCDS Statement:  END THE BLOCKADE!

The Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism (CCDS) is raising money for desperately needed medical aid to Cuba, as the country confronts the worst economic crisis in its history. The United States now is blockading oil shipments to Cuba which is resulting in hospital blackouts, increased danger of patient deaths, and Cubans living in rural areas not even making it to hospitals.

“The U.S. is using its spurious inclusion of Cuba on the list of “State Sponsors of Terrorism” to wield increasingly punitive measures that limit the supply of food, fuel and basic medical supplies. To bolster this inhumane policy, right-wing members of Congress are slipping new, outrageous sanctions into broad budget legislation aimed at keeping the U.S. government running.

The U.S. is refusing to remove Cuba from its “terrorism list” even as Washington and Havana regularly hold counter-terrorism cooperation talks instituted during the Obama administration. This “terrorism” designation blocks Cuba from accessing the international banking system and prevents other countries from carrying on normal trade with Havana.” (Global Health Partners).

Please help by sending a check, payable to Global Health Partners, to CCDS,2334 20th St., San Pablo, CA 94806.

Do not put the word “Cuba” on checks. CCDS will forward the checks to Global Health Partners. https://ghpartners.org/

 CCDS Endorses the Hague Group Resolutions: End Genocide in Gaza Now

The Hague Group, formed by nine nations in January 2025 to express concern about Israel’s genocidal policy in Gaza and the West Bank met in emergency session in July and adopted six resolutions listed below. Twelve countries adopted the resolutions and 30 countries (including the Republic of Ireland), primarily but not exclusively from the Global South attended and indicated they would bring the resolutions back to their countries. The resolutions in part declared the commitments of signatories to:
 1. Prevent  the  provision  or  transfer of  arms,  munitions,  military  fuel,  related military equipment, and dual-use items to Israel, as appropriate, to ensure that our industry   does   not   contribute   the   tools   to   enable   or   facilitate   genocide,   war   crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations of international law.
 2. Prevent   the   transit,  docking,   and   servicing   of   vessels   at   any   port,   if applicable,   within   our   territorial   jurisdiction,   while   being   fully   compliant   with applicable international law…
 3. Prevent   the   carriage   of   arms,  munitions,   military   fuel,   related   military equipment,  and  dual-use  items  to  Israel  on vessels  bearing  our flag,  while being  fully  compliant  with  applicable  international  law….
 4. Commence  an  urgent  review  of  all  public  contracts,  in  order  to  prevent public   institutions   and   public   funds,   where   applicable,   from   supporting Israel’s  illegal  occupation  of  the  Palestinian  Territory which  may  entrench  its unlawful  presence  in  the  territory,  to  ensure  that  our  nationals,  and  companies  and entities  under  our  jurisdiction,  as  well  as  our  authorities,  do  not  act  in  any  way  that would   entail   recognition   or   provide   aid   or   assistance   in   maintaining   the   situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
5. Comply with our obligations  to  ensure accountability  for  the  most  serious crimes  under  international  law  through  robust,  impartial  and  independent investigations    and    prosecutions    at    national    or    international    levels…
6. Support universal jurisdiction mandates,  as  and  where  applicable  in  our legal  constitutional  frameworks  and  judiciaries, to  ensure  justice  for  all  victims and the prevention of future crimes in the Occupied Palestine Territory.