Armstrong & Getty On Demand: Episode Summary
Title: I Want To Join In On The Anger
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this episode of the Armstrong & Getty On Demand podcast, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into pressing geopolitical issues, particularly focusing on the United States' stance at the United Nations concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The discussion navigates through U.S. foreign policy, Trump’s negotiation tactics, the shifting global order, and the implications of these changes on international relations and domestic policies.

U.S. Voting at the UN and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

[02:54] Jack Armstrong:
Jack opens the conversation by expressing disappointment over the U.S. boarder's voting stance at the United Nations regarding the Russia-Ukraine war resolution. He highlights that the U.S. did not condemn Russia as the aggressor, aligning instead with nations like Russia and North Korea.

"The resolution was basically calling, you know, Russia the aggressor and that they need to get out. And we didn't vote yes on that. We voted with Russia and North Korea and some other scumbag countries on not wanting to call out Russia in that war."
— Jack Armstrong [02:54]

Trump’s Negotiation Tactics with Putin

[03:25] Joe Getty:
Joe discusses Congressman Tom McClintock’s perspective that former President Trump would have significant latitude to negotiate an end to the war. He critiques Trump’s approach of attempting to avoid antagonizing Putin, comparing it to trying to negotiate with a "hungry mountain lion."

"It's fairly obviously to me anyway, Trump trying to avoid any antagonizing the people with whom he'll be negotiating, specifically Putin, unnecessarily... as successful as you can negotiate with a hungry mountain lion."
— Joe Getty [03:25]

[04:05] Jack Armstrong:
Jack differentiates between negotiating with personal acquaintances and international leaders. He criticizes the U.S. for not holding Russia accountable publicly while attempting to negotiate privately.

"But telling the world as the most important country on planet that no, there's nothing to criticize about what Russia did here is not good."
— Jack Armstrong [04:05]

Analysis of Trump’s Foreign Policy Strategy

[07:04] Joe Getty:
Joe references Wall Street Journal columnist Jerry Baker's insights, suggesting that Trump may be steering the U.S. toward a "great power" strategy, reminiscent of the 1945 Yalta Conference where global powers divided spheres of influence.

"If you're not familiar with it as he appends foreign policy, there's been a lot of talk in diplomatic circles lately of a new Yalta."
— Joe Getty [07:27]

[08:03] Jack Armstrong:
Jack finds the comparison to Yalta intriguing, pondering whether Trump and his advisors recognize the shift toward a new era of U.S. foreign policy akin to the Cold War dynamics.

"It's possible that he and smart people around him have decided we're into a new era now. We're into an era much like, you know, the Soviet Union and the United States..."
— Jack Armstrong [11:08]

Implications of a New World Order

[13:02] Joe Getty:
Joe summarizes Baker's three potential implications of the new foreign policy direction:

1. Territorial Insecurity: Increased fluidity and aggression in defining international boundaries.
2. Nuclear Proliferation: Greater risk as more nations attain nuclear capabilities without reliance on U.S. protection.
3. Geopolitical and Economic Realignments: Shifts in alliances as Europe and other regions reconsider their dependence on the U.S.

"If there is a move toward this great power world in a new Yalta, first, we can look forward to territorial insecurity... Then, of course, nuclear proliferation... Then the third thing to look for is geopolitical and economic realignments."
— Joe Getty [18:00]

[19:03] Jack Armstrong:
Jack emphasizes the dangers of increased nuclear proliferation, highlighting the heightened risks of nuclear weapons being used intentionally or accidentally.

"The more countries that have nuclear weapons, the more likely that one gets used on purpose or by mistake or whatever. Or gets loose."
— Jack Armstrong [19:03]

Economic Realignments and Dependence on China

[19:12] Joe Getty:
Joe discusses Europe's economic dependency on China and how European nations might seek alternatives if they no longer view the U.S. as a reliable ally. He draws parallels to pre-World War I alliances, where nations frequently shifted allegiances based on self-interest rather than ideological bonds.

"If Europeans no longer view America as a dependable ally, they will seek alternatives... We may now see that kind of hard, self-interested realism among powers replace attachment to sentimental ideas and values."
— Joe Getty [19:12]

[20:05] Joe Getty:
Joe further elaborates on the potential for the U.S. to adopt a "great power" approach, prioritizing national interest over global leadership, and the ramifications this shift could have on international stability.

Military Recruitment and National Strength

[32:10] Jack Armstrong:
Shifting topics, Jack references an opinion piece by Mike Gallagher advocating for a robust military recruitment campaign that emphasizes strength, courage, and leadership. Jack supports the idea, reminiscing about how military recruitment messages once inspired him.

"Remember when Mike Lyons told us how well that worked as a recruitment tool? I know that it worked on me. I very nearly joined the military."
— Jack Armstrong [32:10]

[33:10] Joe Getty:
Joe comments on the fluctuating nature of enlistment rates, suggesting that recruitment can be heavily influenced by the current administration's policies and overall national sentiment toward the military.

Cultural and Social Issues: Gender Policies in Schools

[25:42] Jack Armstrong:
The conversation transitions to social issues, particularly focusing on policies regarding transgender athletes in schools. Joe criticizes the NCAA's updated policies as ineffective and reflects on the broader implications of gender identity regulations in educational institutions.

"The new policy bases gender on birth certificates or a doctor's certification, both of which can be changed by compliant state officials or activist doctors."
— Joe Getty [27:28]

[29:35] Joe Getty:
Joe shares a harrowing account of a student named Sage whose life was negatively impacted by school policies on gender identity, emphasizing the dangers of allowing schools to make unilateral decisions on such sensitive matters without parental involvement.

"No secret gender transition in schools. And 2 it's not abuse to raise a child according to his or her biology."
— Joe Getty [31:54]

Closing Thoughts: Navigating a Changing World

[45:38] Jenny Garth Advertisement:
The episode briefly returns to advertisements, promoting FutureHealth and their services related to weight loss medications.

[41:32] Joe Getty:
Joe shares a personal anecdote about issues with health insurance coding practices, highlighting systemic inefficiencies and the frustration of dealing with bureaucratic hurdles that neglect actual health outcomes in favor of procedural compliance.

"The idiotic flaw in the system is so well known and so easy to understand. Even the girl answering the phone said, oh, yeah, I know what happened."
— Joe Getty [43:22]

[44:14] Joe Getty:
He continues to advocate for meaningful healthcare interactions, criticizing the current system's focus on checkbox compliance over genuine patient care.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Armstrong & Getty engage in a candid and critical examination of current U.S. foreign policy, the potential shift towards a new global order, and the internal challenges within American institutions such as healthcare and education. They intertwine geopolitical analysis with personal anecdotes, offering listeners a comprehensive perspective on how these macro and micro issues intersect and impact everyday lives.

Notable Quotes

• Jack Armstrong [02:54]:
  "The resolution was basically calling, you know, Russia the aggressor and that they need to get out. And we didn't vote yes on that."

• Joe Getty [07:27]:
  "Jerry's trying to figure out Trump's strategy and I think he may be onto something beneath Donald Trump's mendacious... there seems to be a kernel of strategic reasoning."

• Jack Armstrong [19:03]:
  "The more countries that have nuclear weapons, the more likely that one gets used on purpose or by mistake or whatever."

• Joe Getty [27:28]:
  "Both led to this person Sage's trafficking. Her school affirmed her as a boy...she fled the threats, was caught drugged and exploited by sex traffickers."

This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand provides listeners with an in-depth analysis of pivotal international relations issues, the evolving landscape of U.S. foreign policy, and critical domestic social policies. Through insightful discussions and compelling personal stories, Armstrong and Getty encourage reflection on the direction of national and global leadership in tumultuous times.