Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode Title: "Anyway... 0 And 2"
Release Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode covers an extensive range of timely topics, weaving together sharp political commentary, cultural reflections, and signature banter. The main focal points include the indictment of John Bolton, classified information mishandling scandals, shifting norms in U.S. foreign policy (particularly regarding Venezuela), the legacy and passing of Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, and discussion around CBS News' new direction under Bari Weiss. The hosts maintain their irreverent, sardonic tone throughout, combining skepticism with wit and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. John Bolton Indictment & “The Classified Information Problem”

(00:27–10:40, 13:01–13:23)

• Bolton’s Indictment: The show opens with reactions to the news that former National Security Adviser John Bolton has been indicted for mishandling classified information, allegedly through book disclosures and diary entries.
• Political Norms Shift: The hosts reflect on how such indictments, once shocking, have become commonplace.
  • [01:13] Jack: "This never ending race to the bottom that we've got going on in our politics... not even shocking, really."
• “Classified” Overreach: Both hosts lament how the U.S. system indiscriminately labels information as classified, leading to selective weaponization for retribution.
  • [01:44] Jack: "...everybody seems to treat it as classified stuff is not that big a deal—until you get caught."
• Media Coverage Skepticism: Critique of CNN’s framing, accusing the network of exaggerating for drama, and making the offenses sound more terrifying than merited.
  • [03:59] Guest: "Load of crap. She characterized several things in ways that made them sound scary."
• Broader Context: They compare Bolton’s case to that of David Petraeus and others, noting how "violations" often include things of no tangible risk.
  • [07:51] Jack: "Random notes from a meeting that wouldn't mean anything to anybody. But they're classified. Whatever."
• Problem with Prosecution Motives: References to the Wall Street Journal likening the prosecution to Soviet-style “show me the man and I'll show you the crime” tactics.
  • [10:38] Guest: "...stinks of what Joseph Stalin's head of secret police once said..."
• Iranian Hacking Angle: The case's timeline was allegedly influenced by U.S. intelligence penetration of Iran, potentially compromising sensitive sources due to the prosecution.
  • [11:57] Guest quoting MSNBC: "...the case didn't go forward in the Biden administration... because officials were concerned about revealing that penetration. The Trump administration has made a different calculation."

2. Death of Ace Frehley and the KISS Legacy

(14:39–18:32)

• Announcement: Jack shares the news of Frehley's death and recalls KISS' cultural impact.
  • [14:39] Jack: "Ace Frehley has died... passed away peacefully, surrounded by family..."
• Nostalgia & Commentary: The hosts joke about their lack of personal KISS fandom, mocking the band's perceived teenage rebelliousness and lauding Gene Simmons' unapologetic capitalism.
  • [17:07] Guest: "Gene Simmons... was one of the first guys in rock music to say selling out? Are you kidding? That's why I'm here."
• Business Paradox: Gene Simmons’ business acumen juxtaposed with his outlandish stage persona.

3. Bari Weiss at CBS News & the DEI Debate

(18:08–19:19, 34:01–39:30)

• New Direction at CBS: Discussion about Bari Weiss, former NYT writer and current head of CBS News. Highlights her independence and quick move to fire a senior executive seen as emblematic of “woke” culture.
  • [35:40] Jack: "She's not the sort of person that's going to be muzzled. Not a freaking chance, in my opinion."
  • [36:44] Jack: "...they eliminated that position because that shouldn't even be a thing."
• LGBTQ Representation Double Standard: The hosts sarcastically note the lack of activist celebration for Weiss’s appointment due to her moderate/independent politics.
  • [19:16] Guest: "First LGB person to run network news like that. Not a peep out of activists. Not a peep. Why? Cuz she's the wrong kind of lesbian."
  • [37:40] Guest: "Anybody who calls her a conservative is inaccurate... She's all over the map."
• DEI Skepticism: The elimination of the CBS “moral, ethical, and legal" division is praised as a return to substance over performative politics.

4. U.S. Foreign Policy: Venezuela, MAGA, and “America First”

(20:22–33:27)

• Escalation vs. Venezuela: Coverage of recent U.S. strikes against "drug boats" off Venezuela, including large-scale military posturing.
  • [21:44] Jack: "B52 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons... doubt we're going to nuke Venezuela..."
• Regime Change Logic: The hosts dissect the rationale for regime change, referencing Cold War logic but questioning if it aligns with “America First.”
  • [24:26] Guest: "Can you put regime change in Venezuela neatly into America First? I can, actually."
• Risks/Consequences: They speculate about military pushback, potential casualties, and historic resentment from U.S. interventions.
  • [25:43] Jack: “How’s MAGA gonna react to 25 Marines dying as we take the beach there in Venezuela for regime change?”
  • [29:03] Jack: "...you boot out Maduro and then there are three years of civil war..."
• Historical Parallels: Reflection on U.S. interventions in Latin America and varying perspectives on their legitimacy.

5. Media Critique & Identity Politics

(38:03–39:30)

• Activism & Hypocrisy: Comment on how diversity arguments are often about power, not principle, illustrated by selective acknowledgment of achievements by individuals like Bari Weiss.
  • [39:03] Guest: "They claim to love diversity and inclusion unless it is somebody of a moderately conservative maybe bent."
  • [39:30] Guest: "All they care about is power. They are liars."

6. Miscellaneous & Cultural References

• Baseball Ties: Recurrent references to Dodgers games and Venezuelan baseball, connecting sports metaphors to political discussions.
  • [31:06] Guest: "How can a beautiful country with oil riches be condemned? Poverty forever. Communism, that's how. Anyway. Oh, and two."
• Anthropology Brief: Discovery of a 4,200-year-old skull in Indiana prompts playful jabs at “Land Acknowledgement” conventions.
  • [39:30] Jack: "...they found a famous 4,200 year old skull in an Indiana riverbed..."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On classified information:

  • “Right, exactly. And the interesting one about this, look...I'm not claiming, I'm not claiming with any authority that is the case here, but it's definitely that sort of environment.” – Jack Armstrong [02:30]
  • “She characterized several different things in ways that made them sound scary. How scary were they? … It’s all left vague and kind of exciting sounding. Well, that was a load of crap.” – Guest [04:00]
  • "This indictment looks pretty serious." – Guest quoting Professor Jonathan Turley [07:27]

• On U.S. interventions:

  • “If a quasi communist bus driver goon can take Venezuela by force, why can’t the superpower next door? … But if it reflects our interests, what’s the point of being a superpower if you can’t boot out the dictator and install a great legitimate regime?” – Guest [26:46]
  • “...you boot out Maduro and then there are three years of civil war between rival factions. That makes life pretty miserable.”—Jack Armstrong [28:39]

• On Bari Weiss and the culture wars:

  • “First LGB person to run network news like that. Not a peep out of activists. Not a peep. Why? Cuz she’s the wrong kind of lesbian.” – Guest [19:16]
  • “She’s not the sort of person that’s going to be muzzled. Not a freaking chance, in my opinion.” – Jack Armstrong [35:40]
  • “All they care about is power. They are liars.” – Guest [39:30]

Important Timestamps

• [00:27–10:40; 13:01–13:23]: Extended Bolton indictment discussion
• [14:39–18:32]: Ace Frehley/KISS segment
• [18:08–19:19; 34:01–39:30]: Bari Weiss at CBS News and DEI
• [20:22–33:27]: Venezuela, military action, and regime change arguments
• [39:30–40:17]: Final reflections on identity politics, ancient American history

Tone and Language

The episode maintains Armstrong & Getty’s trademark blend of sarcasm, skepticism, and colloquial directness, freely mixing political insight with dark humor and pop culture asides.

Summary

This episode is a whirlwind tour of America's political, cultural, and media landscape, blending pointed commentary about the “race to the bottom” in national security breaches with musings on rock legends, the paradoxes of identity politics, and the old narratives driving new American interventions abroad. The hosts stress-test conventional wisdom, challenge media narratives, and lampoon the excesses of both left and right, leaving listeners with plenty to ponder—plus a few good laughs.