CNN could not have misplayed their hand worse if they tried. Apparently, CNN is still living in a world where they control the narrative and hold the all the power.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The power in today's media is held by the nameless, faceless trolls on the internet who have both time and skill as their weapons.

CNN found out the hard way that heavy-handed threats and self-righteous demands will not scare off the hoards of social media-savvy Americans who won't be muscled.

***
Chicago school children will now face one more hurdle before graduation. Regardless of their academic proficiencies, if students can't show they have a government-approved plan after graduation, they will not be issued a diploma.

I'll give you the details today.

***
Elizabeth Warren was in Afghanistan this week to celebrate 4th of July with the troops. If you find it odd the Mrs. Warren would be in Afghanistan you have reason to question.

Since joining the Senate in 2013 Warren has been to Afghanistan exactly zero times. I'll explain her recent change on today's show.

Jason

That's the claim of one Fairfield University professor.

If that sounds like straight racism, you're right! It's the exact definition of racism.

I've also got the inside scoop on Austin Petersen's Senate announcement and some great stories on what qualities make us successful.

Jason

P.S. If you were looking for the link to my business course, here it is.
http://www.jasonstapleton.com/kickstart

The media is going bonkers over Trumps latest tweets. They're calling his sanity into question while claiming he's calling for violence against the media.

The reality is, both the media and Trump are right...and wrong.

I'll break it down for you today.

***
Politico has a story out claiming Colorado Springs has tried and failed to create a libertarian paradise.

It's an extremely slanted article, but there's plenty we can learn from the discussion.

I may manage to piss off everyone today. You be the judge.

Jason

We get a lot of fear mongering coming out of the reporting on North Korea. I've been all over the world, but never over the 38th parallel so...

My perspective, opinion, and analysis of the North Korean situation is based solely on my life experience. That's why I've invited Michael to come and share his insights.

He's a recognized authority on North Korea, and he's got a sense of humor to boot.

I got a lot out of this interview, and I know you will too.

Michael has written a book on Kim Jong Il entitled "Dear Reader" and you can pick up your copy here:
http://amzn.to/2tTidmk

Enjoy!

Jason

There's been a lot of posturing over the last few days with Russian and NATO jets "buzzing" each other in the sky.

It's the type of high school flexing designed to see if you'll flinch.

The problem is, this type of juvenile shenanigans can start a war, and all sides should take a step back from the edge.

Don't count on any big changes. Both the US and Russia are lead by macho-personas that don't show any signs of capitulation.

Are we on the cusp of another world war? I hope not, but the table is set, the chess pieces are in place. All we need now is for someone to make the first move.

Jason

P.S. Here's the link the the business course I discussed today: www.jasonstapleton.com/kickstart.

The interwebs are in an uproar over Amazon's purchase of Whole Foods. Apparently, the world is ending, and big companies like Amazon must be stopped.

Never mind the fact that people can now get goods from all over the world shipped to their front door in 2 days for FREE.

And let's ignore the how Amazon often offers products cheaper than they can be purchased in store, providing additional savings to consumers.

The critics are right about one thing. Our global economy is changing. It always has been, it always will be. Those who see it and understand it will profit from it. Those who stay locked in the old ways of doing business will perish.

Today I'm going to share my thoughts on Amazon and the 21st-century economy. The opportunity to make millions exists for each one of you. All you need to do is seize the opportunity.

Jason

Yeah, you read that right. Apparently the premium hikes you're going to see this year aren't due to a failed socialist program designed to capture and monopolize one of the most important industries in America.

NO! It's Trump's fault because he's created uncertainty for insurers over whether the government will continue to pay them billions in subsidies.

One might make the point that had the government not gotten involved in subsidizing private companies, to begin with, this problem wouldn't be, well, a problem.

But to make such a bold, shocking claim would require HONESTY! Something the media isn't all that fond of.

The Truth: Premiums are going up because Obamacare was doomed to failure from the beginning. Assembled by partisan hacks and paid lobbies who know as much about health insurance as they do quantum physics.

***
NATO is increasing its troop deployments along the border with Russia. The buildup coincides with the US stationing 330 Marines in Norway, the first time since WWII they have been allowed to do so.

***
After the downing of a Syrian aircraft by US warplanes, Russia has responded by vowing to shoot down all "flying objects" in Syria. One would assume that means US jets as well.

It seems Russia has beat us to the "no-fly-zone" punch.

What does it all mean? Should you be worried? Is another world war inevitable? I'll discuss it all today. Don't miss it

Free speech right? But what if someone died because of what you said? More precisely what if you encouraged someone to kill themselves and then they did it?

That is exactly what happened to Michelle Carter. When she was 17, she convinced her boyfriend to commit suicide by sitting in his car and pumping fumes into the cab.

Her boyfriend died, and text messages revealed what a sinister black widow Michelle really is.

Today Michelle was convicted of manslaughter and faces 20 years in prison. Should she?

That's what I want to talk about today.

***
The state of Illinois has halted all work on its roads and highways. It's officially out of money. They haven't had a balanced budget in almost three years, and their pension program is some 250 BILLION dollars underfunded.

The State currently has nearly 15 billion in unpaid bills, and its credit rating has now achieved Junk status.

Why? Why is Illinois in this situation? It's quite simple, years of progressive, socialist policies have finally taken their toll. I'll give you multiple examples on today's show.

Jason

I irony is not lost on me that Republicans, men, and women who love to rattle sabers, bang war drums and send our youth off the fight in far off lands are now running scared in the face of a little gunfire.

It turns out, despite talking tough politicians are really just scared suits.

You'll forgive me for being somewhat unsympathetic. I just can't help feeling indifferent to their plight. Not only do they assume some risk when entering Congress but D.C. makes it nearly impossible for them to defend themselves because of their strict gun laws.

Now you've got progressives turning violent. Never mind all the "mean spirited talk" coming from Donald Trump and the Trumpists. Progressives have gone over the top holding renditions of Julius Ceasar in Central Park where Donald Trump (playing Julius) is assassinated.

Imagine the Tea Party doing the same thing with Obama getting the knife.

We're living in a powder keg.

***
Why is Rent so high in San Francisco? Well, it ain't because the free market failed. I'll explain today.

Finally, Bitcoin took a 25% hit on news that a new bill may cut the legs out from under the cryptocurrency. I'll give you my thoughts on that as well.

Jason

I had a great vacation. Big thank you to all of you who sent me emails wishing me well and telling me how much you love the show. It is my honor to sit behind the microphone each day and share my thoughts with you.

Today I've got a big announcement about my meeting in Los Angeles. You've been really patient with all the secrecy, and today I get to let a little out of the bag.

We're also going to talk about a little news.

You've no doubt heard about the shooting on Capitol Hill. I'll touch on that, and we'll also take a look at the senate's changes to Obamacare. I'm sure it comes as not surprise to you that Senate Republicans are considering keeping many of the ObamaCare taxes in place.

***
Puerto Rico is considering statehood. They need to protection statehood offers to dig themselves out of the massive debt troubles they've created. I don't think it's got a prayer of happening, but I'll cover the highlights.

All that and whatever else strikes my fancy today on the show.

Jason