Ryan Farrick is a freelance writer and small business advertising consultant based out of mid-Michigan. Passionate about international politics and world affairs, he’s an avid traveler with a keen interest in the connections between South Asia and the United States. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics.


Democratic Senators Investigate Smart Televisions Amid Privacy Concerns

Democrat senators are asking federal regulators to investigate the manufacturers of smart televisions amid worries that the devices are collecting more personal information than previously though. In a letter sent Thursday to Joseph Simons, chairmen of the Federal Trade Commission, Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) voiced their concerns about “consumer privacy



CFPB Accuses Education Department of Protecting Abusive Student Loan Servicer from Lawsuit

The nation’s beleaguered Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is accusing the Education Department of impeding a lawsuit ‘that could bring relief to millions of student loan borrowers.’ The Associated Press reports that the kerfuffle stems from the CFPB’s attempts to sue Navient Solutions. Navient, the nation’s largest server of student loans, has attracted criticism for its


Oil Executives Protest Climate Change Lawsuits

Oil company executives are resisting a recent wave of state-level litigation aimed at making the energy industry pay for the costs of climate change. “It’s sort of bizarre that the users of our products say: “Well, actually, we didn’t want your product. So why did you force it on us?” Shell CEO Ben van Beurden


State Prisons Won’t Treat Curable Hepatitis C for 144,000 Inmates

State prisons across America are abandoning their healthcare obligations to at least 144,000 inmates diagnosed with Hepatitis C nationwide. Hepatitis C, writes The Washington Post, is a curable but potentially fatal liver disease. The conclusion came as part of a survey offered to state corrections departments. Many of the 49 states which partook in the


Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner Profits Off Immigration Detention Facilities

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is purportedly striking a profit off immigration detention facilities, including facilities which house children together with their families., The report, procured and republished by POLITICO, saw the governor disclose earnings from a private equity firm claiming ownership of Correct Care Solutions. Correct Care Solutions is one of several for-profit healthcare providers


Schumer Plans Sabotage for President’s Supreme Court Pick

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to derail the President’s second nominee for the Supreme Court — and his plan hinges on support from the American public. “Let me say this. I believe if we can prove to the American people, which I believe is truly the case, that this nominee will lead to a




1-Year Old Appears in Immigration Court Amid Dem. Calls to Abolish ICE

A 1-year old boy named Johan was brought before an immigration judge in Phoenix last week, dressed in a green button-down shirt and drinking bottled milk. He played with a green ball, cried and asked for “agua,” wall while waiting for the session to begin. Judge John W. Richardson, presiding over the Arizona courtroom, was