Armstrong & Getty On Demand - Episode: "A What Hole?" Summary

Release Date: March 26, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty
Podcast: The official On-Demand podcast of The Armstrong & Getty Show! Accept no substitutes!

1. Political Scandal and Group Chat Fallout

The episode opens with a discussion on a significant political scandal involving the Democratic Party's favorability ratings plummeting into the 20s, as highlighted by Senator Mark Wayne Mullen. He criticizes media outlets like NBC and CBS for amplifying "nothing stories" while selectively calling on Republicans to resign without similar demands for Democrats.

• Quote:
  Senator Mark Wayne Mullen [00:23]: "The NBC and CBS polling has the Democrat Party's favorabilities in the 20s... they call on the Republicans to resign, but yet we heard nothing on them calling on a vegetable that was ruling the country for four years to resign."

Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into the controversy surrounding the release of the "signal chat," which revealed apparent war plans.

• Quote:
  Joe Getty [01:00]: "Jeffrey Goldberg... was released a whole bunch more of the signal chat and showing that is absolutely war plans."

The hosts debate the longevity and impact of the scandal, questioning whether proper accountability is being addressed.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [02:11]: "I don't think would have come out most of them if they had just confessed to their sins and mistakes and moved on."

Listener reactions highlight perceived hypocrisy within Democratic circles, with comparisons to past scandals involving Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.

• Quote:
  Kelly (Listener) [04:13]: "The Democrats have never admitted or taken responsibility for... Hillary's private email server... Biden's unsecured classified documents..."

2. Teachers Unions and the Department of Education

Armstrong and Getty shift focus to the Trump administration's efforts to abolish the Department of Education, critiquing the influence of teachers unions.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [05:03]: "They have absolutely become what Bob Dylan was talking about. They have become a Force for evil."

They argue that the Department of Education, established under Jimmy Carter, primarily serves the interests of teachers unions by facilitating increased spending and reducing accountability. The hosts assert that federal funding for education has been largely ineffective.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [09:17]: "After spending $125 billion of Title 1 money over 25 years, we have virtually nothing to show for it."

The discussion condemns the lack of accountability and the perpetuation of ineffective educational policies.

3. Protests in Serbia and Acoustic Crowd Control Weapons

The conversation transitions to international news about protests in Belgrade, Serbia, where authorities allegedly used acoustic crowd control weapons to disperse demonstrators.

• Quote:
  Joe Getty [14:00]: "It's been reported that the government used one of those weird sound wave things... to make people run away."

The hosts express skepticism about the effectiveness and legality of such weapons, drawing parallels to previous instances like the Havana syndrome.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [15:11]: "It's some sort of energy that makes you freak out and run away."

They emphasize the disturbing nature of these tactics and the potential for misuse in future conflicts.

4. Dog Fighting Ring Involving Former NFL Player

A significant portion of the episode covers the largest dog fighting bust in American history, involving former NFL running back Lashawn Johnson, who was apprehended with 190 pit bulls.

• Quote:
  Joe Getty [16:25]: "Former NFL player, he had 190 dogs. Biggest single dog fighting bust in U.S. history."

The hosts discuss the cultural implications and the broader network likely involved in such illegal activities, questioning the societal acceptance of such violence.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [18:17]: "There are very few cultures around the world that have horrifyingly violent entertainment of this sort that aren't more violent just in general."

They condemn the cruelty involved and highlight the necessary cultural shifts needed to eradicate such practices.

5. AI in Search Engines and the Future of Google

A substantial segment is dedicated to the evolving landscape of search engines, particularly the integration of AI technologies.

Joanna Stern's article, "I quit Google search for AI and I'm not going back," serves as a focal point for the discussion.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [22:00]: "And she goes into the history of it and how it got kind of gummed up in the rest of it."

The hosts compare traditional search methods to AI-driven search tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity, noting the advantages in personalization and efficiency.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [24:05]: "She lists all the places AI search beats old school search... shopping, people, recipes, how tos, movie recommendations..."

They argue that AI search could render traditional "blue links" obsolete, potentially reshaping how information is accessed and consumed.

• Quote:
  Joe Getty [25:00]: "Google pushed it too far and they're going to have to pair it back if they don't want to lose everybody to something else."

The discussion also touches on the implications for trusted sources like the Wall Street Journal, emphasizing concerns about accountability and citation in AI-generated responses.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [33:10]: "These bots spare us from the click through marathons, but if they are good at grabbing useful information from the web, you'll get links you actually want to click for."

6. Wealth Inequality – Elon Musk and Other Billionaires

The hosts critique the portrayal of Elon Musk as the world's richest man, pointing out that other figures like MBS of Saudi Arabia and Vladimir Putin might have greater undisclosed wealth.

• Quote:
  Joe Getty [28:30]: "MBS in Saudi Arabia has multiples of Elon's money. Multiples. Vladimir Putin is believed to be, if not the richest man on earth, among the richest men on Earth."

They discuss the disconnect between public perception and actual wealth distribution, highlighting the ethical considerations of such vast fortunes.

• Quote:
  Senator Mark Wayne Mullen [28:51]: "Elon is the richest guy whose income and wealth is disclosed earned."

7. Consumer Confidence and Economic Indicators

A brief analysis of the Consumer Confidence Index reveals a significant drop of 7.2 points, marking the largest decline in three years.

• Quote:
  Joe Getty [31:08]: "The Consumer Confidence Index was down 7.2 points. Biggest drop in three years."

Jack Armstrong attributes this decline to factors like tariffs, increased credit card debt, rising defaults, and depleted savings, painting a grim economic outlook.

8. Controversial Painting of Donald Trump

The episode features a discussion on a contentious painting of Donald Trump displayed in Colorado's state house, which critics argue depicts him with exaggerated, unflattering features.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [32:00]: "He looks like a fat little baby."

Joe Getty compares it to other problematic artistic representations, such as the MLK memorial in Washington D.C., questioning the accuracy and intent behind such portrayals.

• Quote:
  Joe Getty [32:45]: "If you told me who's this? I wouldn't have been able to guess."

They debate whether such depictions are artistic failures or intentional satirical statements, ultimately supporting Trump's request for a less caricatured image.

9. Final Thoughts on AI and Search

Wrapping up the AI discussion, Jack Armstrong emphasizes the need for balance between traditional search engines and emerging AI technologies to preserve the integrity of information sources.

• Quote:
  Jack Armstrong [34:31]: "I think it's an interesting way to look at it."

Joe Getty agrees, noting personal interest in exploring AI chatbots for more efficient information retrieval.

• Quote:
  Joe Getty [34:08]: "I'm pretty interested in that and I certainly read about it a lot."

The hosts encourage listeners to remain informed about technological advancements while advocating for accountability and transparency in information dissemination.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Senator Mark Wayne Mullen [00:23]: "The NBC and CBS polling has the Democrat Party's favorabilities in the 20s..."

• Joe Getty [01:00]: "Jeffrey Goldberg... was released a whole bunch more of the signal chat and showing that is absolutely war plans."

• Jack Armstrong [02:11]: "I don't think would have come out most of them if they had just confessed to their sins and mistakes and moved on."

• Joanna Stern [22:00]: "She's listing all the places AI search beats old school search..."

• Joe Getty [25:00]: "Google pushed it too far and they're going to have to pair it back if they don't want to lose everybody to something else."

• Joe Getty [28:30]: "MBS in Saudi Arabia has multiples of Elon's money. Multiples. Vladimir Putin is believed to be, if not the richest man on earth, among the richest men on Earth."

• Joe Getty [31:08]: "The Consumer Confidence Index was down 7.2 points. Biggest drop in three years."

• Jack Armstrong [32:00]: "He looks like a fat little baby."

• Jack Armstrong [34:31]: "I think it's an interesting way to look at it."

Conclusion

In "A What Hole?", Armstrong and Getty navigate a diverse array of topics, from political scandals and educational policy critiques to the ethical implications of AI in search engines and the dark underbelly of illegal dog fighting rings. Their candid discussions are interspersed with humor and personal anecdotes, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current events and societal issues. Notably, their critique of emerging technologies and political hypocrisy invites listeners to reflect critically on the information landscape and governance structures shaping contemporary America.