Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Hit The Bricks, Butt Clown
Release Date: December 4, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on multiple evolving news stories and social commentaries, including:

• The state of social unrest and "civil conflict" in Western Europe, particularly Britain, as explored through the work of historian David Betz.
• Breaking developments in the January 6th pipe bomb investigation, with the arrest of a suspect.
• Frustration with urban issues, particularly homelessness in Los Angeles.
• Recurring themes about societal decline, the reliability of news and social media, and personal resilience. As always, Armstrong and Getty interweave sharp satire, candid opinions, memorable quips, and their signature blend of skepticism and humor.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Minneapolis, Somali-Americans, and Civil Conflict in Europe

[02:00-11:20]

• Opening Commentary: Jack riffs on Minneapolis' image problems and the Somali American community after a positive statement from the city's mayor:

  "Come out to Minneapolis. What you won't find is a hellhole but a beautiful city. ... They are proud to call this extraordinary place home." —Jack Armstrong, [01:58]

• Joe's Searing Satire: Responds to Minneapolis' portrayal with reference to massive government fraud by some individuals in the Somali community, while noting "not all Somalis":

  "You can defraud the government for a billion dollars and get away with it." —Joe Getty, [02:19]

• Britain’s Tipping Point?:

  • Armstrong cites an article in The Free Press featuring Dominic Green's interview with historian David Betz, who warns Britain is already in the early stages of a civil war—what Betz terms "civil conflict" or "extreme civil discord."
  • Betz’s Three-Stage Crisis Model:
    1. State-sponsored mass immigration (especially of Muslims) has transformed demography and societal values.
    2. Government response backfires by creating a two-tier justice system, delegitimizing itself in the process (ex: harsh penalties for those criticizing immigrant crimes online, less for the original crimes).
    3. Majority’s Backlash: Indigenous majorities begin to resist the state, seeking a return to traditional interests/values.
  • Betz anticipates “low-intensity, asymmetric” ‘civil war’ dynamics — “no-go zones,” negotiated policing (police entering only with local permission), social trust erosion, and possible catastrophic unrest across Europe.
  • Hosts draw comparisons between Europe and America (e.g., LA neighborhoods with heavy resistance to law enforcement).

• Memorable Quotes:

  • “Balkanization of Western European societies is now fairly obvious.” —Joe Getty, [06:31]
  • “Areas of negotiated policing” instead of “no-go zones”—a phrase Betz prefers. —Jack Armstrong, [07:06]
  • “Posting things critical, pointing out that you have these no-go zones, can get you arrested in Britain.” —Jack Armstrong, [08:55]
  • “A government that breaks its unwritten contract with the people forfeits its legitimacy.” —Jack Armstrong, [09:10]

2. January 6th Pipe Bomb Investigation Breakthrough

[13:37-14:07, 17:15-21:01, 29:22-39:53]

• Breaking News:

  • The FBI has finally arrested a suspect in the infamous pipe bomb case from the night before the January 6th riots.

    “So more details on that, among other things on the way. Stay here.” —Joe Getty, [13:37]

  • Suspect believed to be from Virginia, possibly an anarchist from a wealthy background.
  • Hosts ponder: “Is he one of ours or one of theirs?” (MAGA vs. Antifa speculation)

    “What we all want to know—is he one of ours or one of theirs? That’s the whole story.” —Joe Getty, [29:22]

• Misinformation & Narrative Building:

  • Armstrong and Getty note the instant swirl of rumors on social media, with claims citing the suspect as both Antifa and MAGA.
  • Satirical summary of partisan reactions and “narrative-building.”

    “We’ll build a story around that, a narrative and...condemn the other side.” —Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty, [32:34-32:43]

  • Reference to classic skepticism about media reliability, quoting Mark Twain:

    “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you read it, you’re misinformed.” —Joe Getty, [32:16]

• Philosophical Wrap:

  • Concerns about confusion in the age of social and AI-driven news.

    “One of the AI geniuses...his version of how AI is going to destroy civilization is just going to be...everybody’s going to be confused all the time.” —Joe Getty, [39:44]
    “We’re already halfway there.” —Jack Armstrong, [39:49]

3. The LA Homeless Encampment Problem

[21:20-24:34]

• Situation: Recent bulldozing of an encampment in Marina del Rey after a long battle with crime, drugs, sanitation issues, and frustrated residents.

  • Colorful local news coverage and resident anger:

    “They’re defecating in the area like they are choosing to live there.” —Local, [21:33]

• Personal Touch:

  • Joe recounts personal experiences in Marina del Rey and a discussion about the crisis’ persistence, frustrations with bureaucratic inaction, and the surreal standards (“two blocks away, somebody got cited for their mailbox not being painted right” —Jack Armstrong, [23:23]).

• Societal Satire:

  • Calls for “redistributing homeless people” to other states.
  • Arguments for equal distribution of problems, mocking progressive policies.
  • Frustration with reliance on authorities who “do jack squat.”

    “Because they’re butt clowns.” —Joe Getty, [25:03]

4. Societal Decline & Civilization “Give-away”

[25:31-29:22]

• Rant on Modern Society:

  • Hosts express bewilderment at the normalization of shoplifting, locking up products in stores, and general acceptance of declining standards.

    “Doesn’t it seem weird that we now have to lock up our toothpaste? ... We’ve given away civilization.” —Joe Getty, [25:47]

• Cultural Bullying and Shame:

  • Parallel drawn with Europe’s no-go zones and failure to prosecute certain crimes to avoid offending minorities.
  • Critique of progressives/authorities who “shame the West” into not defending traditional standards.

• Resilience and Personal Conduct:

  • Armstrong describes old-age liberty in public ranting:

    “But I got my arms out and I’m saying...it didn’t used to be this way where you had to get an employee to unlock your deodorant. ... We've given away civilization.” —Joe Getty, [25:47]

5. Mental Health in the Age of News

[28:52-37:13]

• Advice for News Fatigue:

  • Armstrong shares the “Confucian” suggestion—focus on self, not the external world. Maximize your own virtue and positive influence.
  • “Local, local, local”—put your energy into your school board, your park, your neighborhood.

    “Think small. ... Have an effect.” —Jack Armstrong, [37:13]

• Satirical Wisdom:

  • Highlight tension between wanting immediate answers and the patience needed to wait for truth.

    “I need to know right now! It’s before lunch or I will not be satisfied!” —Joe Getty, [38:33]

6. Classic Armstrong & Getty Banter, Humor, and Memorable Moments

• On Legal Boilerplate:

  “You can’t just say hit the bricks, butt clown. You have to have terms apply.” —Joe Getty, [13:26]

• Dog Show Color Commentary:

  • Lighthearted discussion about weird standards at dog shows and the virtues of mutts.

    “The whole thing is so twisted and always has been. ... The inbreeding and the cutting their ears and tails off and stuff.” —Joe Getty, [16:51]

• Sheep Impression:

  “That’s Joe’s impersonation of if a sheep could talk.” —Jack Armstrong, [28:18]
  “And scene.” —Joe Getty, [28:23]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Come out to Minneapolis...You won't find a hellhole but a beautiful city..." —Jack Armstrong, [01:58]
• “You can defraud the government for a billion dollars and get away with it.” —Joe Getty, [02:19]
• “Civil conflict in contemporary Western Europe...will be low intensity, asymmetric...on a scale no state can contain.” —Jack Armstrong (summarizing Betz), [04:53]
• "A government that breaks its unwritten contract with the people forfeits its legitimacy." —Jack Armstrong, [09:10]
• “If you read the news, if you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read it, you're misinformed.” —Joe Getty (paraphrasing Twain), [32:16]
• “You can’t just say hit the bricks, butt clown. You have to have terms apply.” —Joe Getty, [13:26]
• “We've given away civilization.” —Joe Getty, [25:47]
• “Think small. ... Have an effect.” —Jack Armstrong, [37:13]

Important Timestamps by Segment

• Europe’s Civil Conflict & Minneapolis: [01:58-11:20]
• Jan 6 Pipe Bomb Break/Speculation & Media Critique: [13:37-14:07, 17:15-21:01, 29:22-39:53]
• L.A. Homeless Encampment & Social Frustration: [21:20-25:03]
• Societal Satire (Locked-Up Toothpaste, Norms): [25:31-29:22]
• News Fatigue & Localism Wisdom: [28:52-37:13]
• Notable Quotes, Banter, and Satire Throughout

Tone and Style

• Language: Sharp, irreverent, often humorous and sarcastic, with genuine frustration at decline in social standards.
• Delivery: Conversational, with frequent banter, deadpan wit, role reversals, and playful exaggeration for effect.
• Perspective: Sceptical, often conservative/libertarian-leaning, fiercely independent and distrustful of both media narratives and political elites.

Summary Takeaway

This episode epitomizes Armstrong & Getty’s blend of topical commentary, comic relief, and social critique. They urge listeners to maintain skepticism toward both mainstream and social media, focus on personal conduct ("be a strong thread in the social fabric"), and not be bullied into silence or passivity about social problems. With characteristic candor and wit, they tackle the breaking news, societal oddities, and philosophical dilemmas of 21st-century America—never missing a chance for a memorable zinger.