Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Children... They're So Stupid!
Date: August 20, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Armstrong and Getty tackle a range of current events with their trademark irreverence, including political dysfunction, crime statistics controversies, party politics, and societal trends. The episode’s title emerges from a late discussion about young people and music education, but the core of the show is a deep (and frequently satirical) dive into the absurdities permeating American public life and media narratives.

Key Discussion Points

1. California Business Climate & Regulatory Woes

• Early mention of Bed Bath & Beyond’s CEO citing California’s taxes, regulation, and crime as reasons for store closures.
  • Quote:

    “Is California over because of all its problems?” – Joe Getty (03:38)

2. Viral Incident: “Hot, Drunk, Self-Important Chicks”

• The hosts dissect a viral video of Rhode Island’s Special Assistant Attorney General Devin Hogan Flanagan drunkenly resisting police at a restaurant.
• Mockery of the “I’m an AG! The laws don’t apply to me!” syndrome.
• Reflection on how privilege, personality, and drunken bravado intersect.
  • Quote:

    “The fact that she literally seems to believe that as the attorney general... the laws don’t apply to you. That’s a heck of a thing to say out loud.” – Joe Getty (06:18)

• Armstrong suggests their attitude is less about alcoholism and more about being “a-holes.”
  • Quote:

    “Is the primary problem that they're drunks? Or is it that they're a-holes?” – Jack Armstrong (08:24)

Notable Audio Excerpt

• [05:43–05:58] Clip of police-citizen exchange.
  • “I’m an AG.”
  • “Good for you. I don’t give a... Let’s go. We’re leaving.”

3. Crime Stats Manipulation in D.C.

• Segment on alleged crime stat tampering by D.C. police and political spin in media coverage.
• Critique of the mainstream press denying crime problems, juxtaposed with real resident anxieties.
  • Quote:

    “The D.C. police released a simple guide to avoid carjackings... in a city the NYT says has a non-existent crime crisis.” – Jack Armstrong (13:26)

• Cites Nellie Bowles’ Free Press reporting and Maureen Dowd’s NYT piece detailing D.C. residents’ unease.
  • Quote:

    “I find myself packing pepper spray again. I feel more wary…” – Maureen Dowd, via Joe Getty (14:00)

4. The Democratic Party’s Voter Crisis & Internal Radicalism

• Discussion of a New York Times story highlighting Democratic voter registration losses.
  • Quote:

    “The Democratic Party is hemorrhaging voters and voters are stampeding to the Republican Party. Some sort of bloody stampede, apparently.” – Joe Getty (21:39)

• In-depth conversation about Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride (first openly transgender Congress member) and her critique of party radicals—then being “torn apart” online by the extreme left.
  • Quote:

    “If [Democrats] can come to terms with this… they have got to have surgery to remove the radical left from their party.” – Jack Armstrong (23:06)

5. Media Framing & Gang Violence

• Criticism of Martha Raddatz (ABC) downplaying Venezuelan gang activity:
  • Quote:

    “Only a handful of apartment complexes? Do you hear yourself?” – Joe Getty (20:33)

• Pushback on media minimization of visible crime problems and its disconnect from public perception.

6. Ukraine, Russia, and Western Policy

• Reaction to Donald Trump’s ambiguous remarks on helping Ukraine–emphasizing no U.S. boots on the ground, but open to air support.
  • Quote:

    “Trump’s fractured syntax is always a little challenging to figure out... he does that on purpose.” – Jack Armstrong (29:16)

• Explores confusion over promises, diplomatic posturing, and the legacy of the Budapest Memorandum.
• Questions over whether any peace talks (or Trump’s presumed deals) have tangible grounding, or if Putin is simply bluffing for time.
  • Quote:

    “Putin is not meeting with Zelensky. It's not happening.” – Jack Armstrong (39:19)

7. Notable Satire: “Might Makes Right”

• Joe and Jack ponder realpolitik, with Armstrong citing the classic maxim:
  • Quote:

    “Strong countries do what they will, weak countries do what they must.” – Jack Armstrong (39:03)

8. The Episode’s Title – On Children & Music

• Segment about a Pennsylvania teacher 3D printing violins for kids who can’t afford them (45:03).
• Armstrong and Getty praise inventive teachers working around systemic failures.
  • Quote:

    “This gal is a hero... Music is so good for kids and their brains. Oh, can’t be beat.” – Jack Armstrong (45:52)

• Getty jokes about encouraging his son’s guitar lessons:
  • Quote:

    “Chicks dig it, man.” – Joe Getty (46:33)

9. Profanity and Language Evolution

• Brief discussion of David Mamet’s article on how cursing has lost its impact (47:05).
• Historical tangent on the evolution of obscene language.
  • Quote:

    “Back in the day... people pooped and had sex like, in front of each other... so the obscenities that we use that reference sex or poop or whatever, they were unknown.” – Jack Armstrong (47:52)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “What kind of reaction is that?” – Jack Armstrong on privileged legal officials resisting police (09:07)
• “How many apartment complexes need to be taken over by gangs before it’s newsworthy, Martha?” – Joe Getty (22:48)
• “They have got to have surgery to remove the radical left from their party.” – Jack Armstrong (23:08)
• “Might makes right is just a fact… sometimes the good guys have the most might.” – Joe Getty (38:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• California Business Issues: 03:38–04:09
• Rhode Island AG Restaurant Incident: 04:09–09:29
  • Police audio: [05:43–05:58]
• D.C. Crime Stats & Media Critique: 09:41–15:21
• Democratic Party Voter Crisis: 21:13–24:30
• Martha Raddatz/Gang Violence Downplaying: 20:11–22:55
• Russia/Ukraine Peace Negotiations Analysis: 28:49–39:19
• 3D-Printed Violins & Kids: 45:03–45:52
• Profanity & Language History: 47:03–48:52

Final Thoughts Segment

• Michael (Technical Director): Reminisces about childhood fascination with radio towers (49:07)
• Katie Green (News): Tooth-straightening wisdom–“Wear your retainers!” (49:21)
• Joe and Jack: Announce upcoming “One More Thing” podcast with radio stories and reflect on the value of disagreement within conservatism (49:59–50:23)
  • Quote:

    “That’s one of the best things about being a conservative. We disagree all the time.” – Jack Armstrong (50:03)

Tone & Style

Armstrong and Getty deliver with biting satire, skepticism toward media narratives, and a willingness to lampoon both major political parties. They oscillate between serious critique, humor, and personal anecdotes, always maintaining a conversational and irreverent tone.

For listeners new and old, this episode offers a densely packed critique of American politics, social dysfunction, and media absurdity—with enough irreverence and real talk to keep the commentary grounded and entertaining.