He's Completely Lying Out Of His Ass!

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand Episode: "He's Completely Lying Out Of His Ass!" Release Date: January 24, 2025

Summary:

In this engaging episode of "Armstrong & Getty On Demand," hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into a variety of pressing topics ranging from disaster response policies and political maneuvering to economic trends and the rising costs of pet ownership. Through a blend of insightful commentary and sharp humor, the duo offers listeners a comprehensive overview of the week's most significant events and their broader implications.

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1. Disaster Response: Federal vs. State Control

The episode opens with a discussion on former President Trump's stance on disaster response, emphasizing his preference for state-managed efforts over federal agencies like FEMA.

• Joe Getty (00:22): “Trump has specifically said he wants states, not FEMA, to run disaster response… then the FEMA people come in and bigfoot you, and all of a sudden you can't.”

• Jack Armstrong (01:01): Raises the question of federal funding for disaster relief, pondering the fairness of taxpayers in one state funding another's rebuilding efforts.

The hosts explore the efficiency and potential bureaucracy involved in federal versus state-run disaster management, questioning the sustainability and fairness of the current system.

2. Trump's Speech at Davos

The conversation shifts to Donald Trump's recent speech delivered virtually at the Davos conference, highlighting his continued influence and the perception of him as a global leader.

• Joe Getty (02:25): “He [Trump] gave quite the speech and people seem to be, he's getting treated like the leader of the world this time around.”

• Jack Armstrong (02:26): Playfully remarks on Trump's missed physical presence: “My Invitation to Davos. Got lost somehow on the way to my mailbox.”

The hosts discuss the implications of Trump's rhetoric on global warming and his global standing, juxtaposing his actions with his statements.

3. Clips of the Week: Political Highlights

In the "Clips of the Week" segment, Armstrong and Getty touch upon various political developments, including the pardoning of January 6th defendants and concerns about authoritarianism.

• Joe Getty (03:08): “We are on the eve of an authoritarian administration. This is not Fox, Congressman.”

• Jack Armstrong (03:27): Comments on the cultural shift with more people turning to Cartoon Network reruns during turbulent times.

This section underscores the hosts' apprehensions about the current political climate and the potential drift towards authoritarian practices.

4. Economic News: Chain Store Closures

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the alarming trend of chain store closures across the United States, attributing the decline to the rise of online shopping.

• Joe Getty (09:38): “A record 15,000 chain stores are expected to close across the United States this year…”

• Jack Armstrong (10:20): Reflects on the broader economic implications and the potential political fallout for President Trump due to these closures.

The discussion delves into how shifting consumer behavior is reshaping the retail landscape and the consequent impact on local economies and employment.

5. The Rising Cost of Pet Ownership

Perhaps the most extensive and heartfelt discussion centers on the increasing expenses associated with pet ownership, juxtaposed with the financial struggles of everyday Americans.

• Jack Armstrong (14:04): “$2,085.60. That is the average cost of pets last year…”

• Joe Getty (16:09): Highlights the contradiction between high pet-related expenditures and the lack of savings among Americans: “Almost 60% of Americans don't have savings to cover a $1,000 emergency.”

The hosts debate the societal implications of prioritizing pet expenditures over personal financial security, questioning the moral and economic choices individuals make. Their conversation extends into a humorous yet critical exploration of pet adoption practices and the emotional bonds that influence financial decisions.

6. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

As the episode nears its conclusion, Armstrong and Getty share personal anecdotes related to pet expenses and reaffirm their perspectives on current events.

• Joe Getty (34:34): Shares a personal experience: “$4,000. That was my personal biggest expense. Single one time expense on my dog Jackson.”

• Katie Greener (35:16): Adds her own story: “My dog Bailey needed a tooth pulled. Went to go pick her up after the procedure. $3,200 later because they decided to pull 14 of them.”

The final segment underscores the pervasive issue of rising pet care costs, leaving listeners with a mix of humor and concern about the financial decisions intertwined with personal relationships and societal expectations.

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Conclusion:

In "He's Completely Lying Out Of His Ass!," Armstrong and Getty navigate a complex web of political, economic, and social issues with their characteristic blend of insight and wit. From scrutinizing disaster response policies and political rhetoric to dissecting economic trends and the costs of pet ownership, the episode offers listeners a thorough examination of contemporary challenges. Notably, the inclusion of personal anecdotes and direct quotes (e.g., Joe Getty's frustration at [00:22] and Jack Armstrong's reflection on pet expenses at [14:04]) enriches the conversation, making the content relatable and thought-provoking for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.

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Notable Quotes:

• Joe Getty (00:22): “Trump has specifically said he wants states, not FEMA, to run disaster response…”

• Jack Armstrong (01:01): “If you choose to live in whatever, you know, Hurricane Island, Florida, why am I paying for that here in placid weather, Nebraska?”

• Joe Getty (03:08): “We are on the eve of an authoritarian administration. This is not Fox, Congressman.”

• Jack Armstrong (14:04): “$2,085.60. That is the average cost of pets last year…”

• Joe Getty (16:09): “Almost 60% of Americans don't have savings to cover a $1,000 emergency.”

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This episode of "Armstrong & Getty On Demand" masterfully intertwines current events with personal reflections, offering listeners a multifaceted perspective on the issues that shape our society today.

Transcript

[Jack Armstrong]

Broadcasting live from the Abraham Lincoln Radio Studio at the George Washington Broadcast Center, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty. Armstrong and Getty. And now here's Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

So Trump has specifically said he wants states, not fema, to run disaster response, which is definitely not a crazy idea because I've heard many times over the years, years, people talk about, you know, they're doing something, they're doing fine, you need the money from the federal government, but you're doing fine. And then the fema, FEMA people come in and bigfoot you, and all of a sudden you can't, Ah, okay.

[Jack Armstrong]

I thought we were talking about maybe not having federal funding for disaster relief, because I've heard the argument that, look, if you choose to live in whatever, you know, Hurricane Island, Florida, why am I paying for that here in placid weather, Nebraska?

[Joe Getty]

Perfectly good question. And that should be worth it, especially if you rebuild over and over in places where it either catches on fire or falls into the sea. Why are the people in Nebraska paying to rebuild your house on a regular basis?

[Jack Armstrong]

But I'm not, I'm not ready to advocate one point of view or another. I just think it's an interesting question because then you might get into, well, wait a minute, the state of Florida with its imports, Yields, you know, 1.7 times as many dollars of taxes, blah, blah, blah, than any other state. And so what are you, what are you doing?

[Joe Getty]

But it's definitely not hard to imagine that your state response, because you got state agencies that deal with these sorts of things. On a smaller level, a big one happens and, you know, you're laying the groundwork and you got somebody in charge and you're working with people and, you know, the people better in the, in the, in the area and everything like that. And then a bunch of federal people show up and then just another layer of this and that slows it down by a lot. I guarantee you that's what happens. Anywho, we'll see how that goes. A couple interesting things that happened out of Davos yesterday. Davos, Switzerland, where the elites gather every year to control the world. But a couple interesting things that were said yesterday, including Trump's, our boss, actually, Bill told me, he said, man, you ought to watch that Trump speech from Davos yesterday. He didn't go, he did it via Zoom. But he, he gave quite the speech and people seem to be, he's getting treated like the leader of the world this time around.

[Jack Armstrong]

Interesting.

[Joe Getty]

And he wasn't last time I got.

[Jack Armstrong]

To talk to our postman. My Invitation to Davos. Got lost somehow on the way to my mailbox.

[Joe Getty]

But flying.

[Jack Armstrong]

I'm not in a tent.

[Joe Getty]

Flying in on your private jet. Yeah. And then complain about global warming, right?

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, yeah. Hey, we got a lot to squeeze in the final hour of the week. But first, let's take fun. Look back at the week that was its cow Clips of the week.

[Joe Getty]

Please get the hell out of here.

[Jack Armstrong]

Let's go. Birds y Whips of the Week. Just days after getting pardoned by President Trump, some January 6th defendants could soon return to the scene of the crime.

[Katie]

I know that today feels like a gut punch, and it's going to get worse.

[Joe Getty]

We are on the eve of an authoritarian administration. This is not Fox, Congressman. You can't just spin a tail and pull the wool over people's eyes. This is cnn. This is the.

[Jack Armstrong]

That's why more people are watching the Cartoon Network spongebob reruns right now. Jim.

[Joe Getty]

There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. These woke Schapelians or Episcopokians or whatever they're calling themselves today. This is ridiculous. This was terrible.

[Mike Hanson]

Two reasons you're stupid, and I don't think they're stupid. I think anybody that cheats that much and that well is not stupid.

[Jack Armstrong]

A new fire breaking out in Los angeles along the 405 Freeway. Flames and embers shooting up the hillside.

[Joe Getty]

There was snow from Tallahassee to Pensacola. Children were voluntarily being swallowed by alligators just to stay warm. Trump announcing a $500 billion artificial intelligence project. One of the most exciting things we're working on is a cancer vaccine. This is the promise of AI and the promise of the future for the people who are concerned about AI. What do you say to them? I think people are really good and people will on balance incredible things with this technology. Musk now saying the money isn't there. The White House now saying, listen to Trump, not musk.

[Jack Armstrong]

Let me hear you all say E.

[Katie]

L G S E S. Eagles.

[Joe Getty]

We don't promise perfection. I'm so happy that I never have.

[Jack Armstrong]

Especially after I couldn't spell eagles. Right.

[Joe Getty]

Got a lot going on under there. Yeah, under. Under the wool cap. Thinking about your sideburns. What does this do for me? I assume it gives me an erection.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, geez.

[Joe Getty]

A better erection. I. And even one more wonderful erection.

[Jack Armstrong]

No.

[Katie]

For once.

[Joe Getty]

Hey, a quick follow up on one of the stories of the week. And that's when Trump announced it was that Sam Altman saying about AI, people are good. So it'll Be fine.

[Jack Armstrong]

I think out of the balance, I.

[Joe Getty]

Think people are really good, man. If you're lying, I'm worried. And if you believe that I'm worried. I'm worried both ways. If you believe that, I'm even more worried.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, yeah, yeah. I mean, the one is just a salesman, the other would be a psycho.

[Joe Getty]

Right, but. So Trump announces half a trillion dollars for AI Elon says they don't have the money. The Trump was asked about that yesterday and this is what he said. Does it bother you that Elon Musk criticized a deal that you made publicly? That he said that he tweeted that?

[Mike Hanson]

No, he hates one of the people in the deal.

[Joe Getty]

Have you spoken to him since then?

[Mike Hanson]

No, no. Well, I spoke to Elon, but all of them, actually people in the deal are very, very smart people. But Elon, one of the people he happens to hate. But I have certain hatred too.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, that's hate speech right there, folks. That is hate speech.

[Joe Getty]

I thought that was awesome, people, they should say that out loud more often. Why didn't the. What. What is the problem here? That guy hates that guy. That's what the problem is.

[Jack Armstrong]

So, yeah, he's just not gonna be nice about it. I get it.

[Joe Getty]

That's fine.

[Jack Armstrong]

You're right. That is. That is so out of the norm because I can just hear the hemming and hawing and stammering and it would be unfortunate if criticism were to get in the way of appropriate. No, look, the two of them been fighting like cats for years. That's what all is. Well, we'll be fine.

[Joe Getty]

Right now there's great congeliality on the committee and we're working well together and everybody has differences now and then, but we work these out. Elon hates that guy. So, yeah, okay. And Trump says, I hate people too.

[Jack Armstrong]

So, yeah, I got people I hate. Here's the list.

[Joe Getty]

Katie has breaking Trump news. Katie.

[Katie]

Well, speaking of people Trump hates, we've got a little shift kick in that just took place in North Carolina.

[Joe Getty]

Senator from California.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah. Yes.

[Mike Hanson]

I was told the Schiff was going to travel with us to California. I wasn't thrilled, to be honest with you. And I saw him last night on television. It looks like he got hit with a baseball bat or something. What happened to him? Something happened to him. It was. It looked like he got hit. It looked like he got beat around, but. But I'll ask Caroline to find out what happened to him.

[Jack Armstrong]

Of all the things he could have said about Adam Schiff, what happened? Looked like he got hit with a Bat.

[Katie]

He was gonna go to California with us. I wasn't thrilled.

[Jack Armstrong]

That part was great.

[Joe Getty]

Well, how would you be? Guy went on t single day completely lying out his ass about. We have the American people will see the facts soon. The Trump working with Vladimir Putin to overthrow the election never paid off any of his promises. He's a complete phony, lady.

[Jack Armstrong]

The proof this is the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency. Oh yeah. Over and over again. What a scumbag he is now speaking of Katie and her headlines, she is wearing an utterly charming dog themed hoodie behind the scenes today.

[Katie]

It has. It has several different photos of Frankie on it. My little dog.

[Jack Armstrong]

Their photos dog is Frankie. Oh, those are pict photo.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, this is.

[Katie]

This is actually my dog. He's a little Havanese. We think he's a rescue. I'm not too sure.

[Joe Getty]

What is that word?

[Katie]

Havanese?

[Jack Armstrong]

What is that A very dog's Havanese. What's you.

[Joe Getty]

Are they. Are they an ally of the United States or a foe? Are they with China? The Havanese, they're from Cuba, actually. Oh, okay.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, as a Havana. That's where the Havanese.

[Jack Armstrong]

Okay, I get my eye on your dog. Where does his loyalties lie, huh?

[Joe Getty]

That's funny. I've never even heard that name as a breed before.

[Katie]

I hadn't either until we got him.

[Joe Getty]

Okay.

[Jack Armstrong]

Cute little fella. Yeah.

[Katie]

And he's hypoallergenic. He has hair, not fur.

[Joe Getty]

Since we're.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wow. So do I.

[Joe Getty]

Since we're talking about pets, I know you had a pet thing and I was going to talk about how we're. We're two into pets in this country right now.

[Jack Armstrong]

Pets. Yes.

[Joe Getty]

Maybe we get to that coming up at one other thing. I wanted to jam in here, but that fits in with that. Oh, this economic news that just came out. A record 15,000 chain stores are expected to close across the United States this year for a variety of reasons and they list a whole bunch of them and they're the kind of places you'd expect. Party city, big lots, Walgreens, Boots, Alliance. I don't know what that is. 7:11 Macy's. But 15,000 chain stores are record by a lot. They blame online decrease in shopping period and then switch to online shopping for people who are shopping online.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, I remember talking about this. I guess it was last fall that there are a number of economic trends. The way the curves work that could really end up being super unfortunate for Trump because all presidents get too much credit, too much blame for the economy and there are certain things you can see coming. Things peak and then they go down and then they go up again and yeah, he might catch a handful of down curves.

[Joe Getty]

Well, I don't have the.

[Jack Armstrong]

Tough to deal with.

[Joe Getty]

I don't have the numbers on if this would mean anything like that because it might just be people switching to online and just maybe this is the year the reality finally hits of something that had been building for quite a while. 24 was a really bad year. Although not even close to the same number. Less than 2,000 discount chains, but also Big Lots Family $.99. I mean like stuff at Family $99 cent store. Unless you need it in the next five minutes, you can go on Amazon and order whatever cheap Chinese made piece of plastic crap you're gonna get at that store and have it delivered to you tomorrow morning and you know, not take the time to stop by the strip mall and take an hour out of your day. And that's what people do and that's what I do.

[Jack Armstrong]

Right. Yeah, sure. What its effect will be on local jobs though?

[Joe Getty]

Oh yeah.

[Jack Armstrong]

I'm not significant.

[Joe Getty]

It ain't gonna be all good. Nothing's all good but right. I. I kick myself when I do this all the time. It's just too convenient. My. My local music store that had been around forever went out of business. And it would bother me. I would try to. I need some guitar strings. Wait till I was gonna be in that area town, stop by, park my car, walk in, grab the strings. Maybe they don't have the exact ones I want. Go up to the desk, wait in line, pay with a credit card just to keep them open or one click on my phone. Done. Sometimes I have it this afternoon and just. Yeah, it's just reality.

[Jack Armstrong]

I know. I hate it. I hate that. I hate that you said that out loud, yet there it is.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. Yeah, I do.

[Jack Armstrong]

All change is not progress. All progress is not progress. I don't the modern world.

[Joe Getty]

One more financial note and it fits in with Joe's pet story, I think. So that's coming up. Stay here.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

So I walked in late to work today and Katie just alerted me of this before I got in the room. Joe unleashed an executive order Trump style, outlawing the use of Frye on the show.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yes, yes.

[Joe Getty]

And I had been concerned for quite some time as I opened every Friday morning with It's Friday that I wasn't doing it with enough inflection of. I think that's a jivy ridiculous tone. And I was Being taken seriously. Because it is not the sort of thing that I would say, but perhaps I wasn't, as often happens with my kids, where I say, well, that is sus. Dad, please don't say sus. I'm only saying it, like mockingly of jivey. Teenage language. Huh.

[Katie]

You fooled me.

[Joe Getty]

Well, right. Exactly. No, I am not the kind of guy who says frye.

[Katie]

Yeah, I thought you were Fri. Yay, guy.

[Joe Getty]

No, no.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well. And yet you are.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, wow. That is philosophically deep.

[Jack Armstrong]

Think about it. Yes.

[Joe Getty]

Even if you're pretending that's what you are. That's the theme of one of our favorite Kurt Vonnegut novels.

[Jack Armstrong]

That's right. Absolutely. You. Right. Right. You yourself, what are your priorities? What you do are your priorities, not what you say. You're pro. And your priority, evidently, is saying Friday.

[Joe Getty]

But I'm perfectly okay with abandoning it if. If it is not clear that I'm mocking the sort of person that would say Friday.

[Jack Armstrong]

$2,085.60. That is the average cost of pets last year, according to a comprehensive survey of 2,000 dog and cat owners for one year. A little over $2,000 for one year. That is the average cost.

[Joe Getty]

So perfect for an economic piece of news to. To. To add into this story, but go on.

[Jack Armstrong]

That will combine standard veterinary care, emergency care, food, medications, that sort of thing. It rises and falls year to year. Obviously, sometimes your dog has something. I'm a dog guy. But my daughter, who's in law school right now, has two cats that she adopted last year. Loves them very much. Fabulous cats. What, Katie? What? What's so funny?

[Katie]

They'll have to listen to the One More Thing podcast.

[Joe Getty]

That's right.

[Katie]

I can't hear anything about ca, Especially out of you, Joe, after.

[Joe Getty]

That's right. That's right. That was. That is funny.

[Jack Armstrong]

My daughter's term for their unclean paws.

[Joe Getty]

She's accurate.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, yeah. It rhymes with spit mittens.

[Joe Getty]

That's what they have when they come walking out of that litter box. They're walking with their spit mittens across your carpet.

[Katie]

Yeah, I'll let you know. I called one of my friends spit mittens the other day.

[Jack Armstrong]

It's a great slam.

[Joe Getty]

And then they jump up on your counter and walk across with their spit mittens where you're later going to cut up your bread.

[Jack Armstrong]

So she adapted, adopted, and rather not adapted. She adopted these two fabulous cats that are very charming and I've grown fond of. But one of them that was certified healthy by the adoption agency had a pre existing medical Condition that they absolutely knew about.

[Katie]

Oh geez.

[Jack Armstrong]

Anyway, but so the one sneezing blood and she's got to go and pay, you know, four figures worth of and she does not have that sort of money.

[Joe Getty]

Neither does anybody else according to the latest statistics. But back to you.

[Jack Armstrong]

Right, right. So Anyway, it's around $2,100 average per year for pets. And I remember our, the greatest disparity I've ever witnessed a twenty dollar rabbit was it cost me $650 like a year and a half later my daughter, same daughter just loved this rabbit so much. So it was one of those situations where oh my God, I swear you pushed it. $I would spend a doctor.

[Joe Getty]

Oh boy.

[Jack Armstrong]

They probably have some sort of brain scanner that says this guy has a net worth of X. He likes animals this much, we can get him for $648, no, $649.

[Joe Getty]

So statistics that are out today on how much savings the average person has. I'm going to tie this into the pet thing and then I will say probably very hurtful, mean things about people I like and then we'll go on with our conversation. Is the way that will work the coming together of the stat about how much savings people have and how much people spend on pets. Oh my God.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

They're eating the dogs. They're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there. They're eating the dogs. They're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there. People of Springfield, please don't eat my cats. Why would you do that? Eat something else. People of Springfield, please don't eat my dog.

[Jack Armstrong]

Here's a catalog of other things to eat.

[Joe Getty]

They're eating the dogs. They're eating the cats. And we had to get at least through. Meow meow, meow meow. We're talking about how expensive it is to have pets. And I decided I would temper my comments to avoid trouble since it's loved ones involved here. But it's pretty clear that people are spending more money on pets than they ever have in the past. I've had a pet in my house for non stop for 25 years now anyway. So it's not like I'm anti pet or something like that, but how do we simultaneously have. What did you say the number was up near $3,000?

[Jack Armstrong]

$2,102,000 a year.

[Joe Getty]

Got it. It's a lot higher than that for a lot of people I know. For people who don't have the money survey out today, almost 60% of Americans don't have savings to cover a $1,000 emergency. How do we simultaneously spend more money on dogs and cats than we've ever spent ever and people have no savings? Or, or the never ending conversation about rent's too high, can't afford a house, you can't, you can't get ahead now the American dream is over. How can you have all those conversations at the same time? You're spending more money than ever before on pets?

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, right. All of those conversations are almost exclusively used to justify some political redistribution of wealth. I mean, all of those complaints about the cost of this or the price of that, just those are almost all taken from the world of politics, like I said, to justify some redistribution. And if there were no income redistribution, you would see very different patterns of spending.

[Joe Getty]

Right, Yeah, I was going to make that point. As long as we're not socialist, I don't, why would I care how much money you spend on your pet while you complain that you can't buy a house? But if there is going to be some redistribution of wealth around those issues, I do care.

[Jack Armstrong]

Right, right. If you're the sort that would rather keep your money than have the companionship of a pet, that's fine too.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't, I don't care what anybody does as long as it's not going to affect my situation. It's an for instance, I was hearing a story from some people who were talking about how they wish they could buy a house, but it's too expensive and what they were spending per month to have their pets on rent. I thought, wow, that add up, adds up to a lot of money.

[Jack Armstrong]

But you know, do we do connection here?

[Joe Getty]

Do whatever you want?

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, indeed, yeah, absolutely, do whatever you want. But I'm concerned, and this has been deliberate by certain political actors. I'm concerned that the idea that this, that and the other thing that I enjoy is a right has really caught hold in the, in the American consciousness. That that which I prefer I have a right to, as opposed to all of these are choices and trade offs that we make. You don't have a right to have a house, but if you work, you know, a reasonable amount, take on a roommate or get married or whatever, you will have a house. It's a choice, it's a trade off. It's not a right.

[Joe Getty]

Donald Trump's good at staying in the news. I don't know if you've ever noticed that. He just did a press conference in North Carolina he was there to visit the hurricane victims. But anytime you start taking questions from the press, you're going to get questions about all kinds of different things. And he does it every day. To his credit, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris wouldn't answer a question from anybody ever. Trump does it multiple times per day, every single day. But he was asked about yanking people's security details, as he has done with a number of people this week. And he has yanked Dr. Fauci's taxpayer funded security detail. President Trump announced during the press conference today. He said, I think when you work for the government, at some point your security deal detail comes off and you know you can't have them forever. Trump told a reporter who would, who had asked about this, which is true. Everybody who's in government at a high level, I don't see why you get security for the rest of your life. But, but Dr. Fauci, lightning rod, lots of death threats. I didn't, I don't agree with all the things he said. He brought a lot of it on himself. But I don't know. This is an interesting one. Trump went on to say, yeah, he's.

[Jack Armstrong]

He'S not a good test case because he is so clearly evil and dishonest. But like John Bolton, Bolton who, whatever you think of his foreign policy, was executing the job that the President of the United States asked him to in a way that the President approved of at the time and brought on the anger of the Iranian mullahs, an evil, evil regime. John Bolton, absolutely. If the threat remains, his security should remain. I don't like Trump doing that.

[Joe Getty]

We took some other people off too. Trump noted, referring to John Bolton. As Joe said, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, they can hire their own security. I can give them some good numbers of very good security people. Fauci made a lot of money. They all did. Very Trump attitude.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, I'm surprised that that sort of thing is subject to the President's whims.

[Joe Getty]

I am, honestly. Yeah, yeah, I am too. What did, what did your rabbit cost to get fixed when it had a problem? That's a tough one when it's a kid's pet because, I mean, I am much quicker to pull the trigger on. Yeah, I ain't paying that much for my dog to get fixed than my kids might be. So then that's right. That's the X factor there.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, right, of course. And so much of it. I mean, if you like, if something's easily treatable and you have the money and you don't do it. I think that makes you a bad person. But the sliding scale of morality and expenditure and what's justified and the rest of. We. We brought this up on the air once, you know, years and years and years ago when we used to take phone calls and we talked to people who would literally spend their entire life savings to get their dog another year of life. They would render themselves destitute and considered anybody who wouldn't some sort of monster. Jack and I both grew up in, I don't know, different time, different place, where relationship with animals is viewed a little bit differently. That, to me, seems insane.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. You've got the $15,000 to save a cat crowd, and then you've got Kristi Noem. I'm closer to Christy Noem than the other one. Yeah.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

I live in a town where the world's best vet school is best vet school in the entire world, and people regularly take their pets there to get fixed, and they charge accordingly.

[Jack Armstrong]

And it is really a blessing and a curse. I good. A good, close person to me, went through a situation where her dog was very, very sick. And the good folks at UC Davis said, you know, we could do this. We're the only facility on earth that can do this. And she loved her dog very much and was milked. Not. Not dishonestly or fraudulently. I'm not claiming anything like that. But was. Was separated from a huge amount of money just because it was possible. And, you know, depending on the way you're made emotionally, I get that. But, yeah, that. You know, the eternal question to me is always, are you doing this for the pet or are you doing it for you? If it's for you, because you'll miss it very much because you love the dog, the cat, whatever. Think about that.

[Joe Getty]

Katie, are you ready to hear my least popular theory ever? I probably shouldn't even repeat it. This is the least popular theory I've ever had around pet.

[Jack Armstrong]

Why would you do this? It was going so well career wise.

[Joe Getty]

And I've never understood the. Really. The pushback on it.

[Katie]

Okay.

[Joe Getty]

Given the fact that the shelters are full of dogs and cats that would love to be your pet and are going to be euthanized this week or next week because there aren't enough people to adopt them, why wouldn't it make sense to. If you have a dog, it's your dog. You need to go on. It's sick, or you got to go on vacation or whatever, you put it down, and then when you come back, you get another one from the pound.

[Katie]

You'Re, you know, Jack.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah. This the sick thing. I'll discuss the. I'm going on vacation. I could either pay for a pet sitter or. Wait a minute. Or kill it, execute my dog and get a new one.

[Joe Getty]

I logically think I'm on solid ground here, bringing a dog out of the shelter who's going to be executed. So one of these dogs is going to die. So I just flipped the script. Now it's this dog that's been living in my house is going to die. The other one at the shelter is now going to live.

[Katie]

No.

[Joe Getty]

What's the difference? Net. Net number of dogs saved is the same.

[Jack Armstrong]

You take one.

[Joe Getty]

I know. Versus one. I don't know.

[Katie]

You've taken an animal into your home, gained its trust, and because you want to go to Disneyland, you're going to put it down and then get a new one.

[Joe Getty]

That will also get my trust.

[Jack Armstrong]

Logically speaking, you're correct. On the other hand, if you do that, that makes you a psychopath.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, I don't think so. I think it makes sense.

[Jack Armstrong]

If you're com with psychopathy, Please enact this Plan 9 from Outer Space of yours.

[Joe Getty]

So you're okay. Okay pretending all these dogs at the shelter don't exist, aren't cute and lovable and aren't going to be put to sleep.

[Katie]

Nobody said that. Not one person on this show said that.

[Jack Armstrong]

Way to knock down a straw dog.

[Joe Getty]

I just don't understand the difference.

[Katie]

There's a huge difference.

[Joe Getty]

But the two dogs in front of me, this one's from the shelter. This is the one that's lived in my house for the last year. One of them has to die. Might as well flip a coin. I mean, what difference does it make?

[Katie]

Oh, you're just ridiculous.

[Joe Getty]

Now you get the new dog.

[Jack Armstrong]

We have attachment issues here that really need years of couch time.

[Joe Getty]

Now I get the new dog from the shelter and it might say to the old dog that's headed that went to the shelter while I went on vacation, it might say, hey, get a calendar. Circle June.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wow.

[Joe Getty]

That's how long you got.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wow. Wow. So, okay, I'm gonna go down this road with you. Just.

[Joe Getty]

Just for the sake, I would like to say I have not done this, but I just like to hear my. The logical fallacy in this because I don't think there is one.

[Jack Armstrong]

I really don't want to get these emails. I really don't want.

[Katie]

Way too late to not want emails.

[Jack Armstrong]

They're coming. I know. So if I were to in a loyally fashion. Argue your side of the argument. I would think. All right. Dogs don't like, say I never went to Paris.

[Joe Getty]

Right.

[Jack Armstrong]

You know, in their final days.

[Joe Getty]

Right.

[Jack Armstrong]

That's not the nature of dogs. You can either give one dog many years of happiness.

[Joe Getty]

Right.

[Jack Armstrong]

Or multiple dogs some exact affection before they go to doggy heaven.

[Joe Getty]

Right. Which means nothing to them. They don't know you guys are both sick.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, no, no, no. I'm not advocating it. I have the ability, Katie. Oh my God. I almost said something that would get me even more emails than Jack is going to get. I have the ability to examine an argument that I don't agree with to see how reasonable it is and what its strengths and weaknesses are.

[Joe Getty]

If you just.

[Jack Armstrong]

I think it's monstrous. After you did that the third time, you would be so like weirdly numbed by the experience. You would, you would go through the rest of your life a gibbering psychopath.

[Joe Getty]

The weird part would be because you do get attached to animals. The weird part would be putting down the dog you're attached to and getting a new dog. But you'd get attached to the new.

[Katie]

Dog and then you'd put it down again when you have another family vacation. I don't like the cycle or anybody wants.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, right, exactly. And that's what I'm doing a poor job of conveying it. But you would have to numb yourself.

[Katie]

Yeah.

[Jack Armstrong]

Attachment to an extent that would make you mentally just completely cuckoo nuts.

[Joe Getty]

And the dog says, I thought I had till June. You say my buddy of mine got concert tickets, so.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wow. Wow.

[Katie]

Well, this has been a joy.

[Jack Armstrong]

Is there another podcast looking for a co host? I gotta look at my. My contract. I've played in this band too long.

[Joe Getty]

I will read the text when the.

[Jack Armstrong]

Band you're in starts playing different tunes. Hey, Pink Floyd, huh?

[Joe Getty]

Okay, we will. We will finish strong.

[Jack Armstrong]

Next, Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

A good breaking news. The FBI has arrested a suspect in the killing of that border patrol agent from recently. I don't remember that story, but they have arrested somebody. But it'll be interesting. Oh, FBI says it arrested a 21 year old Washington state woman in the fatal shooting of U.S. border Patrol agent.

[Jack Armstrong]

Really?

[Joe Getty]

Washington state woman? Well, okay. Who knows the writing on that? They might be trying to fudge the fact that the person's here illegally. I don't know. I don't have any idea. Could have been some ideologue. Could be a US citizen idea. Weirdo. Here is a. Well, I don't know. Do we want to go back down this road. We did get this text. White pets are costly in the state of California. They won't allow you to get vaccines, rabies, et cetera, or flea meds, worm meds, any of that stuff. Stuff. Unless you have a well check appointment every year for your pet. So you have to do one full appointment. That's just kind of because somebody wrote legislation to get that in. To add to the cost, they also have a seven dollar disposal fee for each needle used in any shots, which is whatever the hell.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, and I remember looking into whether I could buy some drugs for a dog. I think it was just. Just shop around and go buy it somewhere. Buy it through the mail or whatever. Oh, no, no, no. No way. Not from the vet with the markup.

[Joe Getty]

Right. Okay, well, that ain't cool.

[Jack Armstrong]

And I remember some listener wrote in and said, no, no, claim you have a hog and. And order it from this place in Nebraska. And I was like, all right, whatever.

[Joe Getty]

We got a decent pushback on my argument, but it maybe is too grim to even contemplate. Does your idea apply to kids, too? Would you take your kids to a.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wait a minute, zero to 60, not put them down.

[Joe Getty]

But would you take your kids to a foster home and get new ones upon return with the idea that, hey, what's the difference? Some kids gonna have a happy home life? Some days I'd like to do that. I think that's a great idea.

[Jack Armstrong]

Is that a thing people are asking?

[Joe Getty]

I was thinking that Wednesday afternoon. Yeah, that's funny, Hanson. Obviously, that would be horrific. And so then you get into the whole my kids are like my, my, my pets are my kids attitude, which many, many people have, which is how we get to spending so much money, I guess.

[Jack Armstrong]

I have a book full of this sort of moral conundrum. I gotta figure out where it is. Maybe I'll bring it in. That asks all these, like, extremely morally difficult and questionable, you know, questions, or, you know, difficult to. Anyway, they're difficult moral questions. And, and the point is to think about them. Yeah. The point is not that you're about to do them, or is it.

[Joe Getty]

No, no, it's not.

[Jack Armstrong]

Right. Right. Yeah. Yeah. You know what? And I could go further down this road, but I want the hatred to go to you and not me. So I will, for selfish reasons, recuse myself from the rest of this bizarre and troubling conversation.

[Joe Getty]

Perfect timing.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, saved by the mill, boy. Phew.

[Mike Hanson]

It is now my incredible privilege to present final thoughts with these moron arms.

[Joe Getty]

Wrong. And Getty, here's your host for final thoughts, Joe getting.

[Jack Armstrong]

Thank you, Mr. President. 100 authentic. Let's get a final thought from everybody in the crew. Michelangelo has the day off. Executive producer Mike Hanson is filling in. Hanson, final thought.

[Joe Getty]

$4,000. That was my personal biggest expense. Single one time expense on my dog Jackson. $4,000. We thought he was gonna die. He wasn't. Son of a. He should have died at that moment, but he needed a spinal tap and then everything after that was just fine. $4,000. Financing, financing. Zero percent, Jack. That's another thing vets have come up with is financing and pet insurance. And then you can up the prices because he got insurance. Just like it works, you know, for people.

[Jack Armstrong]

Big vet. Tell you what, watch out for him. Katie Greener, esteemed newswoman, loves her dog. And as a final thought, Katie, my.

[Katie]

Dog Bailey needed a tooth pulled. Went to go pick her up after the procedure. $3,200 later because they decided to pull 14 of them.

[Joe Getty]

Boy, $3,200.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wait a minute. Give me those teeth back. Yeah, I'll take them, Jack. A final thought.

[Joe Getty]

Trump's making a lot of friends by going to North Carolina. Man, the people there are digging his appearance.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, I'm sure they are. It's brilliant politics. My final thought is, guys, thanks for listening. We'll see you on Monday.

[Joe Getty]

Sheesh. It's got to be a slower week than this week. Almost killed the Armstrong and Yeti. Wrapping up another grueling four hour workday.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and getty.com. all your wishes will be answered there. The hot links. Swag, drop us note, whatever. Wow.

[Joe Getty]

It's like the Willy Wonka chocolate factory. Just go on Armstrong and getty.com. see you Monday. God bless America.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

There's a freaking war going on. They are ruthless. Well, you're being a wise guy with.

[Jack Armstrong]

Me a little bit. I think that you may be over egging the pudding. Enough talk.

[Joe Getty]

It's a little too much donkey dog. I haven't said a word, so stop yelling at me.

[Jack Armstrong]

We must together work together.

[Joe Getty]

Come on.

[Jack Armstrong]

I told you to get the out. Get the out. Whip up Animus. The left against the right. The right against the left.

[Joe Getty]

Animus.

[Jack Armstrong]

Animus. Have a great Friday.

[Joe Getty]

You Armstrong and Gettysburg.