Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: I Should Have Thrown Him Into The Sea
Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Guests: Mike Lyons (Military Analyst), Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA)

Episode Overview

This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand navigates the complexities of current global conflicts—primarily the Ukraine war and the situation in Gaza—offers candor on national security decision-making, and explores U.S. political issues like redistricting and immigration. Key guests include military analyst Mike Lyons and Rep. Tom McClintock. The show’s trademark humor and personality shine through, especially during Armstrong's vivid recounting of an attempted sailing lesson (and near-altercation with a stubborn old man).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Russia Tensions & Ukraine War

(00:27–09:17)

• Topic: Russian attack on an American company in Ukraine.
• Guest: Mike Lyons, military analyst.
• President Trump's policy: More assertive than Biden's, with increased permission for Ukraine to fire into Russia, though this reportedly frustrated Pentagon officials who are slow to approve such strikes.
  • Lyons: “Maximum military pressure by Ukraine is what's going to take Russia to possibly come to the negotiation table.” [03:26]
• Bureaucratic friction: Pentagon sometimes works against presidential directives due to internal disagreement or inertia.
• Nuclear escalation risk: Discusses possibility and world reaction if Russia were to use a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine.
  • Lyons: “If Russia fires … Kharkiv or Lviv, that … would be an incredible escalation … what would the world do then?” [06:26]
  • Jack: “No, I don't think there would be … condemnation from the UN … Of course, Putin doesn't give a crap about that.” [08:30]
• UN & NATO involvement: General skepticism that the international community would go beyond statements or sanctions.

2. Israel, Gaza, and Tunnel Warfare

(09:17–10:39)

• Status: Netanyahu aiming to eliminate Hamas, possibly occupy Gaza.
• Challenge: Tunnel warfare (the “fourth dimension”).
  • Lyons: “That's going to be tunnel warfare … the last remnants of Hamas. Likely … those tunnels are going to get destroyed. They're going to be flooded, they'll be blown up.” [09:31]
• Casualties: High likelihood of significant Israeli and civilian losses; hostages in tunnels might be collateral damage.

3. National Guard: Domestic Use & Civil-Military Tensions

(10:39–12:07)

• Armstrong’s perspective: Imagines family members deployed internally, expresses discomfort with National Guard troops in cities acting as law enforcement.
• Lyons’ concern: U.S. overrelies on military for policing; lack of appropriate training and risk of role confusion.
  • Lyons: “If we're going to arm them and expect them to go out on police raids, that's a bridge too far.” [11:06]

4. Sailing Lesson Story & Its Human Lesson

(15:23–19:21)

• Jack’s humorous anecdote: Took adult sailing lessons; was overwhelmed by terminology, struggled with learning new skills as an adult, and clashed with another participant.
  • “The main thing I learned is it's way more complicated than I know … I found that quite funny … Process of elimination. I'm going to grab everything until I get it right.” [17:27–18:10]
• Teaser: Suggests he nearly pushed an old man into the sea—as the title hints.

5. Political Interview: Rep. Tom McClintock on Redistricting & Immigration

(20:25–33:33)

• Redistricting/Gerrymandering:
  • McClintock explains the origins, abuse, and consequences of gerrymandering.
    • "This, I guess you could call it a Gavin Mander, was drafted behind closed doors in a matter of days." [22:11]
  • Notes how California’s independent redistricting commission was designed to prevent abuse, but Gov. Newsom's actions would bypass it.
  • Disparity in representation due to counting illegal immigrants in population totals.
    • “Mainly because illegal aliens are counted for districting, which increases the proportional influence in Democratic regions.” [23:16]
  • Outrage over lack of fairness and transparency in the process.
• Immigration & Sanctuary Cities:
  • McClintock's ‘simple truths’ on border enforcement: “If we don't enforce our immigration laws, we have no immigration laws. If we have no immigration laws, we have no border. If we have no border, we have no country. It's not complicated.” [25:31]
  • Stresses need for closing asylum and parole loopholes—claims current law already requires detention of illegal entrants.
  • Calls for reforms so a future Democratic president cannot easily upend enforcement.
• Use of National Guard in Cities:
  • Federal government supreme in federal district/Washington, D.C., and in enforcing federal law; but regular policing should remain local.
    • “Local law enforcement needs to remain in local hands, no matter how badly those local hands are handling it.” [29:24]
  • Armstrong and McClintock express wariness about the precedent set by sending troops to Chicago.

6. Tennis Culture Shift: Etiquette vs Entertainment

(34:36–38:20)

• US Open’s changing vibe: Loud music, trash talk now encouraged—breaking from tradition.
  • Jack: “Am I ever gonna watch this sport as a TV show? Part of me loves pointing in people's faces and trash talking.”
• Pros & Cons: Acknowledges increased TV excitement vs. effects on youth sports (“We don’t need to make 11-year-old football more entertaining for advertisements.”)

7. Sports Spectacle: The “Schmildo” Incident

(38:20–40:28)

• Story: Fan threw a bright green marital aid (“schmildo”) onto the court at a sporting event, faced multiple charges including felony assault.
  • Jack: "If I'm standing around and something hits me in the head ... and then I look down and see that it's a bright green schmildo, I would think ... What are they ... what message are they sending me right this moment?" [39:54]
• Humor: Armstrong & Katie riff on the bizarre—laughter and banter abound.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mike Lyons:
  • “Maximum military pressure by Ukraine is what's going to take Russia to possibly come to the negotiation table.” [03:26]
  • “I do think a smaller tactical nuke like that, they can deliver it and they have it.” [06:26]
• Jack Armstrong:
  • “I just, I think it's always easier to picture military stuff if you picture one of your own relatives ... I don't know that I would [want my dad or brother in Baghdad or Chicago] ... I'm all for cracking down on the crime. Maybe more on that later.” [12:19]
  • “If we don't enforce our immigration laws, we have no immigration laws. If we have no immigration laws, we have no border. If we have no border, we have no country. It's not complicated.” (Echoing McClintock) [25:31]
• Rep. Tom McClintock:
  • “This, I guess you could call it a Gavin Mander, was drafted behind closed doors in a matter of days.” [22:11]
  • “Local law enforcement needs to remain in local hands, no matter how badly those local hands are handling it.” [29:24]
• Katie:
  • “[About sports etiquette]—If the adults want to go out there and smash their tennis rackets and call each other effers, that's cool ... but leave the kids out of it.” [37:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:27 — Russian strike on U.S. company in Ukraine; intro to Ukraine policy discussion
• 01:55 — Mike Lyons military analyst joins
• 03:26 — Military pressure as negotiation leverage over Russia
• 06:26 — Discussion of nuclear escalation risks
• 09:31 — Gaza: tunnel warfare and Israeli military challenges
• 10:39 — National Guard domestic deployments; militarization concerns
• 15:23 — Jack’s sailing lesson story (leads into show’s title)
• 20:25 — Rep. Tom McClintock on California redistricting and gerrymandering
• 25:31 — On the role and necessity of immigration enforcement
• 29:24 — National Guard in local law enforcement: federalism concerns
• 34:36 — US Open, tennis culture shift, and sportsmanship debate
• 38:20 — The “schmildo” incident: sports spectacle and legal fallout

Tone & Style

The episode delivers news and analysis with a blend of sharp critique, wry humor, and direct speech, true to Armstrong & Getty’s established style. They move swiftly between serious policy discussions and lighter, offbeat cultural commentary, maintaining an approachable, conversational tone.

For listeners seeking comprehensive insight into U.S. foreign policy friction, domestic politics, and more, this episode offers an engaging mix of substance and wit.