Summary of "I Hate Birds & Fish! Screw 'Em!" Episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty
Platform: iHeartPodcasts
1. Water Crisis in Palisades
The episode opens with Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty discussing a sudden water shortage in Palisades, where hydrants ran dry overnight. Armstrong compares the situation to large-scale emergencies like massive fires or electrical system failures.
Notable Quote:
Jack Armstrong (00:02): "What is the situation with the water? Obviously in Palisades, it ran out last night in the hydrants. The local folks are trying to figure that out."
2. Jimmy Carter's Funeral and Former Presidents' Interactions
A significant portion of the discussion centers around the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. Armstrong and Getty highlight the presence of ex-presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump in the second row at the National Cathedral. They observe the seemingly cordial interactions between Obama and Trump, expressing curiosity about the nature of their conversation.
Notable Quotes:
Joe Getty (01:39): "Barack Obama was just shaking his head like rolled his eyes and laughed. And they're talking. I would free freaking love to know what they're talking about."
Jack Armstrong (02:11): "They've both done a job that is impossible and ages you like a dog. And so there is a bond, even if you disagree fairly vehemently."
3. President Joe Biden's Age and Fitness
The hosts express concerns about President Joe Biden's age and physical condition, mentioning his appearance during the funeral and questioning the decision to elect him given these factors.
Notable Quotes:
Joe Getty (03:28): "Joe Biden looks 120 years old. He walked in and sat down with his mouth hanging open and that blank stare that he has."
Jack Armstrong (04:15): "The Democratic Party, the Biden administration and the media were all telling us... that he was good to go for another four years. Nothing could be more dishonest or ridiculous."
4. Yuval Levin and the Doge Project: Reining in Federal Spending
Armstrong introduces Yuval Levin's analysis of the Doge Project, an initiative led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy aiming to curb federal government spending. The discussion delves into the feasibility of reducing federal expenditures, the challenges posed by entrenched entitlement programs, and the skepticism surrounding non-politician leaders attempting such reforms.
Notable Quotes:
Jack Armstrong (05:54): "If they're to generate more than memes and slogans, it needs to quickly nail down several key particulars about its goals, its structures, its approach."
Joe Getty (10:23): "Only the last of these is really worth Doge's time and attention. It pains me to skip over the sharply curtailing the federal workforce thing."
5. California Fires and Environmental Laws
The hosts transition to discussing the devastating fires in Los Angeles and California at large. They critique environmental regulations that impede timely action against high-risk forests, attributing delays to "lawfare" driven by trial attorneys and public employee unions.
Notable Quotes:
Jack Armstrong (20:43): "Half the reason for these laws is for trial attorneys to get attorneys to be rich. Unions constantly use these environmental lawsuits to blackmail companies."
Joe Getty (21:14): "That's an excellent point. How many of the lawyers who make enough of a living to retire on... care about the freaking burger fish involved?"
6. South Korea's Constitutional Crisis: President Yoon Suk Yeol
Armstrong and Getty discuss the political turmoil in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol is resisting arrest amid a constitutional crisis. They compare the situation to historical events and express concern over the stability of South Korea's democracy.
Notable Quotes:
Jack Armstrong (31:24): "In a settled westernized Eastern democracy, to have this happen, it's just, it's, it's terrible. It's cataclysm."
Joe Getty (31:29): "This is classic Game of Thrones stuff, as old as time."
7. CNN Defamation Trial and Jury Selection Issues
The episode concludes with a discussion about a high-profile defamation trial involving CNN and a plaintiff named Zachary Young. Armstrong and Getty criticize CNN's handling of the case, highlighting issues in jury selection where only a minimal number of jurors are familiar with CNN personalities, potentially biasing the trial's outcome.
Notable Quotes:
Jack Armstrong (34:09): "Only one potential juror admitted to regularly watching CNN. Out of 40 potential jurors. Oof. That's blow number one."
Joe Getty (34:57): "Oh, it's going to be hard to find a fair juror with the popular."
Conclusion
Throughout the episode, Armstrong and Getty blend political commentary with personal opinions, often injecting humor and skepticism into their analysis. They tackle a range of topics from local crises and international politics to media bias and governmental reforms, providing listeners with a provocative and opinionated perspective on current events.
End of Summary