Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode Title: It's Usually Starfish But You Have Crabs
Release Date: December 5, 2024
Introduction
In this compelling episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into the heated political landscape shaping America today. From border policies and media biases to landmark Supreme Court hearings on transgender laws, the episode offers a thorough examination of contemporary issues affecting the nation. Joined by guest Tom Holman, the discussion navigates through complex topics with fervor and insightful commentary, providing listeners with a nuanced perspective on the challenges and debates defining 2024.
1. Border Policy and the Trump Administration
The episode kicks off with guest Tom Holman addressing the current state of border enforcement and the anticipated policy shifts with the upcoming Trump administration. Holman expresses strong support for President Trump's plans to overhaul immigration policies, emphasizing a return to "real work" in border management.
Tom Holman [03:25]: "This whole world's upside down under this administration. That's why I'm very excited about President Trump taking back the White House January 20th."
Holman outlines his proactive stance, already collaborating with Texas Governor Greg Abbott to address immigration challenges ahead of Trump’s presidency.
Tom Holman [03:32]: "We're already working on fixing this problem. So can't wait for January 20th till we can actually get started."
He criticizes the current administration's handling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlighting record-low removal numbers despite a historic immigration crisis.
Tom Holman [03:56]: "Under the Biden administration, ICE has the lowest numbers of removals in the history of the agency, even though we have a historic crisis."
2. Media Bias in Reporting Deportations
Armstrong and Getty shift focus to media representations of immigration, particularly criticizing national outlets like NPR for their portrayal of deportation policies. They argue that mainstream media skews public perception by presenting deportations predominantly as negative, neglecting the majority of Americans' support for such measures.
Joe Getty [05:26]: "They actually on NPR today had a pregnant woman from Central America someplace. So she's pregnant and trans. They mentioned at the end a pregnant trans woman who might be deported under Trump's plan."
The hosts contend that media outlets ignore statistics indicating widespread public approval for deportations, thereby fostering a narrative that contradicts the majority's stance.
Jack Armstrong [05:43]: "It's just because it's like principal, but I think it's just nutty ideology that you wouldn't just say, hey, the vast majority of Americans think this on this topic."
3. Supreme Court Hearing on Tennessee Transgender Law
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Supreme Court's oral arguments concerning Tennessee's law banning gender-affirming treatments for minors. The hosts and Holman dissect the legal and ethical dimensions of the case, expressing skepticism about the scientific support for such treatments.
Tom Holman [28:00]: "The plaintiffs are saying that the 14th Amendment, which demands equal treatment under the law, also applies to this question because it's about sex."
Holman criticizes transgender treatments, labeling them as "cruel experiments" and arguing that they lack substantial scientific backing. He references international studies and critiques the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) for promoting these practices without adequate evidence.
Tom Holman [35:09]: "Alito cited extensive research from European countries showing otherwise, including a study from a Swedish medical board that concluded the risks of transgender treatment outweigh purported benefits."
4. Gender-Affirming Treatments for Minors
The conversation intensifies as the hosts debate the implications of allowing minors to undergo gender-affirming procedures. They challenge the validity of studies claiming reduced suicide rates among transgender youth, pointing out methodological flaws and the potential for biased data.
Jack Armstrong [37:14]: "It's based on a study and I remember we looked into this a couple of years ago but I re looked it up again. It's a study in the history of 27 self-selected trans people that had more problems quite possibly than the average trans person."
Holman highlights personal testimonies and detransitioners' lawsuits to argue against the current medical practices, asserting that these treatments cause lasting harm without clear benefits.
Tom Holman [40:43]: "There should be hundreds of people heading for jail on these cruel experiments on children. It's shocking that the ideology, the radical gender theory ideology is so infiltrating our universities and some state houses that we permitted this to happen at all."
5. Final Thoughts and Crew Reflections
In the concluding segment, Armstrong and Getty invite reflections from their crew, encapsulating the episode's overarching themes of political frustration and societal division.
Katie Greener [47:47]: "Grateful I am to have a job where lines like why do your bowels have an English accent? Are dropped."
The hosts express a sense of inevitability regarding America's political trajectory, acknowledging the persistent challenges while advocating for continued advocacy against policies they oppose.
Joe Getty [48:21]: "It's been significant. And the mainstream media does such a horrible job on this."
Jack Armstrong compares societal resistance to ideological shifts to the classic story of crabs pulling each other down, emphasizing the need for collective action.
Jack Armstrong [48:54]: "Because for an individual person, it's kind of like the crabs on the beach story. You help that one."
Conclusion
Armstrong & Getty On Demand delivers a robust exploration of pressing political issues, blending direct commentary with strategic critique of media narratives and legislative actions. Through their discussion with Tom Holman and subsequent reflections, the hosts present a perspective that calls for stringent immigration controls, scrutinizes the legitimacy of transgender medical treatments for minors, and highlights perceived biases in mainstream media reporting. This episode serves as a substantive resource for listeners seeking insight into the contentious debates shaping America's future.
Notable Quotes
- Tom Holman [03:25]: "This whole world's upside down under this administration. That's why I'm very excited about President Trump taking back the White House January 20th."
- Joe Getty [05:26]: "They actually on NPR today had a pregnant woman from Central America someplace. So she's pregnant and trans. They mentioned at the end a pregnant trans woman who might be deported under Trump's plan."
- Jack Armstrong [05:43]: "It's just because it's like principal, but I think it's just nutty ideology that you wouldn't just say, hey, the vast majority of Americans think this on this topic."
- Tom Holman [28:00]: "The plaintiffs are saying that the 14th Amendment, which demands equal treatment under the law, also applies to this question because it's about sex."
- Tom Holman [35:09]: "Alito cited extensive research from European countries showing otherwise, including a study from a Swedish medical board that concluded the risks of transgender treatment outweigh purported benefits."
- Katie Greener [47:47]: "Grateful I am to have a job where lines like why do your bowels have an English accent? Are dropped."
- Joe Getty [48:21]: "It's been significant. And the mainstream media does such a horrible job on this."
- Jack Armstrong [48:54]: "Because for an individual person, it's kind of like the crabs on the beach story. You help that one."
This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing an accessible overview for those who have yet to listen while preserving the depth and dynamism of the original discussions.