In what can only be described as a scene straight out of a crime drama, former Congressman Eric Swalwell seems to have added yet another chapter to his illustrious career of mishaps and misjudgments. Over the weekend, the FBI decided to pay him a visit, not with a public relations team in tow but with warrant in hand. The agents were keen to make the most of their trip, departing with a handful of electronic goodies from Swalwell’s collection. It appears the FBI’s interest in fruit-branded devices includes swooping up his Apple MacBook Pro and iPhone. Whether it turns out the devices contained anything other than pictures of Swalwell’s lunch remains to be seen, but they certainly aren’t predicting a happy ending for him.
Adding to Mr. Swalwell’s abundant collection of controversies are the numerous allegations that led to his abrupt halt from his rather quixotic quest for the governor’s mansion in California. From allegations of sexual misconduct to claims of drugging and assaulting women, and of course, the scandalous affair with an alleged Chinese spy that seems more fitting for a budget thriller than a political career. It leaves one wondering how he ever thought people could forget such transgressions. As if his past record wasn’t enough, Swalwell now finds himself under the watchful eyes of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and LA Sheriff’s department. What a resume!
Meanwhile, it seems like data centers are becoming the elephants in the room that everyone pretends not to see. Despite their capability to turn local economies into hypothetical gold mines, no one seems to want these technological fortresses anywhere near their backyard. In a twist that many might find ironic, the richest county in America, Lowden County, Virginia, has taken center stage as the host for what feels like a metropolis of data centers. With billions pouring in and taxes dropping, the economic boom is indisputable. Yet, can you blame the average Joe for fearing the potential Godzilla-esque electricity bills and mysterious technological sorcery they bring? Hardly.
Opinions on data centers have apparently reached new levels of skepticism, likened to a fear cocktail mixed with a splash of distrust toward the future of artificial intelligence and big tech. People fear these modern-day digital castles may not just consume their precious resources, but also tan the delicate balance of the job market. Apparently, data centers are providing shelter to a host of anxieties, with some believing they’re bringing the apocalypse for jobs. It appears the tech giants of the world have some convincing to do, but they might want to look beyond simply promising a handful of jobs. As regular folks buckle under the weight of electric bills, it’s also a showdown against the abstract fear of technological annihilation.
In a separate global scene, President Trump has plans to target Iran with what he’s affectionately dubbing “economic D-Day.” By cutting off the nation’s revenue stream from oil, Trump aims to isolate Iran economically on a massive scale. However, he cleverly plans to keep the oil flowing for the likes of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. This strategy could potentially leave Iran both broke and broken, forcing them to fumble inwards and hopefully break their own fall. All this, while the ever-riveting drama of Iran’s potential political downfall serves as both intrigue and, dare we say, hope for those who wish to see democracy blossom in this long-troubled nation. With keen eyes on the ground, it looks like a real-life game is afoot – one which the Iranian leadership might not last to win.
