Armstrong & Getty On Demand – Episode: "I'm Old & Fat"

Release Date: January 10, 2025

Hosts: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty
Podcast: The official On-Demand podcast of The Armstrong & Getty Show by iHeartPodcasts.

Introduction

In the episode titled "I'm Old & Fat," hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into a mix of current events, politics, and personal reflections, all while maintaining their signature blend of humor and insightful commentary. The discussion is interspersed with lively banter and occasional guest contributions from Katie Green, adding depth to the conversations.

1. Sports Highlights: NFL Wild Card Weekend

The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic discussion about the ongoing NFL Wild Card Weekend. Jack and Katie highlight the excitement of multiple games occurring simultaneously, emphasizing the unpredictability and entertainment value of this playoff stage.

Katie Green (03:33):
"Jack, I'm all about wild card weekend in the NFL. Yes, that's the best playoff weekend the first couple of weeks where you got all the games going on. Fantastic, fantastic."

They specifically dissect the recent college football game where the Golden Domers secured a last-second victory over the Penn Staters, commenting on the impact of lower-seeded teams performing unexpectedly well.

Jack Armstrong (03:44):
"Great college football game last night to the Golden Domers. Last second victory over the beleaguered can't win the big one, Penn Staters."

2. Major News: Los Angeles Wildfires

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the devastating wildfires engulfing Los Angeles. The hosts express grave concerns over the scale of the fires, which have burned a combined total of 50 square miles, resulting in substantial loss of life and property.

Katie Green (04:23):
"One of the fires is now 30 square miles and the other one is 20 square miles for a total of 50 square miles of completely burnt to the ground for the two biggest fires, which is an unimaginably large area of space."

They critically assess the response from local authorities, particularly Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom, highlighting their perceived incompetence and lack of preparedness.

Katie Green (05:34):
"I'm surprised that their people didn't prepare them better to have something to say to reporters and not look so completely incompetent, flat-footed like they don't know what's going on. Not a good look."

Jack concurs, pointing out the indefensible nature of their actions and the missed opportunity to address policy failures that may have contributed to the wildfire's severity.

Jack Armstrong (06:32):
"Well, a lot of what they've done is indefensible. So the fact that they had no defense is not that shocking to me."

3. Political Commentary: Supreme Court Ruling on Donald Trump

The podcast shifts focus to a pivotal Supreme Court decision regarding former President Donald Trump's involvement in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial. The court ruled 5-4 to mandate Trump's sentencing without jail time or penalties, a decision that sparks heated debate between the hosts.

Katie Green (07:04):
"So it's sentencing day for Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial, as they called it inaccurately, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of now you got to go ahead and be sentenced today."

Jack Armstrong (08:16):
"Actually, no, no, I'm not. And it was a 5 to 4 ruling and unsigned. But I kind of agree with the majority. He doesn't have to be there. There's no penalty, there's no sanction."

The hosts explore the implications of the ruling, discussing its impact—or lack thereof—on Trump's presidency and the broader political landscape.

4. Listener Mailbag: Critique of Government Mishandling

In the Mailbag segment, listeners write in with concerns about government inefficiency, particularly in managing large-scale emergencies like the wildfires. The hosts echo these frustrations, emphasizing the need for realistic policy-making that acknowledges necessary trade-offs.

Antonio from Tewarth, California (22:08):
"Take a look at la. Way to go, Gavin."

Tom from Weymouth, Massachusetts (22:15):
"There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs."

Jack references economist Thomas Sowell to underscore the complexity of policy decisions that often lead to unintended consequences, such as inadequate forest management contributing to wildfire severity.

Jack Armstrong (23:02):
"They would deny you talk about trade-offs. You're trying to balance the back the budget on the backs of the..."

5. Inspirational Moments and Personal Reflections

Amidst the heavy topics, the hosts share motivational quotes and personal anecdotes that provide a lighter, introspective tone to the episode.

Jack Armstrong (21:23):
"Your life will never be the same again."

Katie Green (35:18):
"You're so full of crap."

They discuss the importance of character in leadership, using Jimmy Carter's integrity as a contrast to current political figures, and reflect on the superficiality of modern political rhetoric.

6. Current Events and Social Issues

The discussion also touches on various other news items, including:

• Arson and Homelessness: The arrest of an arson suspect using a flamethrower to smoke weed, highlighting issues of homelessness and substance abuse.

• Drone Regulations: Concerns over civilian drones damaging firefighting aircraft, pointing to gaps in current drone regulations.

• False Emergency Alerts: An erroneous evacuation alert sent to nearly 10 million LA residents, exacerbating panic and highlighting communication failures.

Jack Armstrong (44:19):
"Turns out we used to hang people like this."

Katie Green (45:01):
"We don't. Haven't really quite figured out all the regulations for drones yet."

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Jack and Katie tease upcoming topics, including an in-depth look at Karen Bass's tenure as Los Angeles mayor and the challenges faced during the wildfire crisis. They encourage listeners to stay tuned for further discussions and insights in future episodes.

Jack Armstrong (27:05):
"We're eliminating the third party fact checking system."

Katie Green (40:33):
"We got a lot more heavy stuff and funny stuff and informative stuff and interesting stuff and all that."

Notable Quotes:

• Katie Green (07:04):
  "So it's sentencing day for Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial, as they called it inaccurately."

• Jack Armstrong (21:23):
  "Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again."

• Jack Armstrong (23:02):
  "There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs."

Takeaways:

• Political Accountability: A critical examination of leadership during crises highlights the necessity for competent and prepared governance.

• Judicial Impact on Politics: Supreme Court decisions can have profound, albeit sometimes minimal, effects on political figures and their influence.

• Public Frustration with Government: Listener feedback underscores a widespread discontent with bureaucratic inefficiency and a call for realistic policy-making.

• Inspirational Guidance: Amidst discussions on challenges, the hosts emphasize personal growth and the importance of character in shaping a better society.

For those who missed the episode, "I'm Old & Fat" offers a comprehensive look into pressing issues of 2025, balanced with personal insights and motivational thoughts. Tune in to Armstrong & Getty On Demand for more engaging discussions on current events, politics, and beyond.