Mic | James Banks

is a Rochester-based writer. He is a former contributor to "The American Interest" Online and has written for "The Weekly Standard," "The Intercollegiate Review" and other publications. He works in web communications and is a doctoral student at the University of Rochester.

News

Nov. 15, 2013

By James Banks

Casinos in New York Are Governor Cuomo's Newest Plan to Fleece the Poor

Governor Cuomo's "New" New York is one where the government grows richer by swindling its citizens out of money that they don't have.

News

Nov. 12, 2013

4 Reasons Why Ending the War On Drugs Would Be a Huge Mistake

By James Banks

Ending the War on Drugs would lead to higher medical costs, lower education attainment and income, fewer workplace rights and more vulnerable communities. And this is only the beginning.

News

Nov. 6, 2013

Gun Control Debate: The Argument That Every Gun Owner Needs to Start Making

By James Banks

Gun rights advocates shouldn't argue for gun ownership because guns make us safer; they should argue for gun ownership because guns are fun.

Oct. 29, 2013

Hate Sitting All Day? This Designer is Breeding the World's Perfect Chair

By James Banks

Cats, dogs, horses ... and chairs? A scientist is taking the best characteristics of chairs from around the world to create a new, "thoroughbred" chair. We think he deserves a sitting ovation.

News

Aug. 8, 2013

Them's Fightin' Words: The Case For Bringing Back the Duel

By James Banks

Dueling is a very American activity and is worth bringing back.

News

July 23, 2013

By James Banks

Royal Baby Aside, the British Monarchy is Worth Celebrating

The British monarchy is not worthy of Americans' loyalty, but it is worthy of their respect.

News

July 22, 2013

Mandatory National Service? Thanks But No Thanks

By James Banks

National service always sounds good in theory, but in practice they would probably be high maintenance bureaucracies which would frustrate their participants.

News

July 11, 2013

Sanford, Weiner, Spitzer: Our New Emperors With No Clothes

By James Banks

Why is it that are dignitaries are so frequently without dignity?

July 6, 2013

5 Underrated Cities For Millennials to Make Their Summer

By James Banks

All the places where you wanted to travel, but no one told you to ask about.

News

June 7, 2013

Tax Free NY: No State Taxes Isn't Upstate New York's Solution, Seceding From NYC is

By James Banks

Tax-free zones and other gimmicks aren't what upstate New York needs. Upstate New York can only recover and thrive if it gets independence.

News

June 1, 2013

By James Banks

Bradley Manning Trial: Yes, He Is Guilty. Yes, He Should Be Punished.

Bradley Manning violated every obligation he had as a member of the intelligence community when he submitted classified documents to Wikileaks. He should be punished.

May 29, 2013

Tesla Motors (TSLA) Stock: Business Is Booming, But Can Electric Car Make a Difference?

By James Banks

Tesla is posting record profits, but to become the Ford of the 21st Century they should look to driverless car technology to get all Americans into the backseat.

News

May 27, 2013

Memorial Day 2013: Every 18 Hours, a Service Member Commits Suicide

By James Banks

On Memorial Day, the wars abroad are winding to a close, but there is a new war at home that civilians and military personnel have not been able to confront: the skyrocketing rate of suicide.

News

May 15, 2013