Armstrong & Getty On Demand – Episode: "I've Seen A Beaver Smokin' Marijuana"

Release Date: May 7, 2025

In this engaging episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty, along with co-host Colby Ekowitz, delve into pressing geopolitical issues and the sociocultural impacts of contemporary movements. Skipping over the numerous advertisements, the core conversation offers insightful discussions on international conflicts, the influence of "woke" culture on youth, and the ramifications of government policies on societal structures.

1. Middle East Tensions: The Houthi Ceasefire Agreement

The episode kicks off with a significant geopolitical update regarding the Middle East. President [Last Name] announces a major development involving the Houthi militia, a group backed by Iran.

• Jack Armstrong shares:

  "The Houthis agreeing to stop targeting U.S. vessels." [03:26]

• Joe Getty elaborates on the situation:

  "The Iran-backed militia had snarled global trade by attacking ships in the Red Sea for more than a year, protesting the war in Gaza." [03:35]

In exchange for halting their assaults on U.S. maritime interests, the President vows to suspend U.S. strikes against the Houthis.

• Colby Ekowitz adds a critical perspective:

  "We will stop the bombings and they have capitulated. But more importantly, we will take their word." [03:52]

However, the tension remains palpable as the Houthis declare their intent to continue targeting Israel.

• Joe Getty warns:

  "The Houthis vow to still target Israel, who overnight bombed an airport in Yemen after a Houthi strike near Tel Aviv." [03:52]

The hosts discuss the precarious nature of such agreements, questioning the long-term viability and the potential for future conflicts.

2. The Impact of "Woke" Culture on Youth and Resentment Politics

Transitioning from international affairs, Colby Ekowitz introduces a critical examination of "woke" culture and its effects on young men in the United States.

• Colby Ekowitz states:

  "Conservative parents all over the country who, by the grace of God, didn't lose their daughters to trans because of the woke left are now seeing their sons lured toward Nazism by the woke." [06:30]

This leads to a broader discussion on resentment politics, where movements driven by perceived grievances rather than constructive goals can lead to societal fragmentation.

• Jordan Peterson is referenced:

  "Beware of any of these movements that are motivated by resentment. ... If the motivation of the movement is you're so resentful of the way you're being attacked as opposed to a more positive spin, that tends to drive you to do bad things." [07:59]

The hosts emphasize the dangers of allowing resentment to fuel political and social agendas, highlighting the potential for such dynamics to escalate into extremist ideologies.

• Joe Getty warns:

  "Be careful when ye fight monsters, that ye do not become a monster yourself." [10:21]

3. Societal Oddities and Cultural Shifts

Interspersed with their main discussions, the hosts touch upon peculiar societal phenomena that reflect broader cultural shifts.

• Joe Getty recounts an unusual incident:

  "Meth pipe raccoon... someone checked the book of Revelations raccoon mentioned in there obliquely." [19:01]

This anecdote serves as a metaphor for the perceived decline in societal norms and the rise of bizarre behaviors, symbolizing deeper anxieties within the community.

• Colby Ekowitz reflects on the collective mood:

  "Everybody's depressed, angry, doesn't think their government works. Stopped having kids." [21:31]

The conversation underscores a general sense of disillusionment and frustration among the populace, exacerbated by events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Government Policies and Their Unintended Consequences

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Jason Riley's upcoming book, "The Affirmative Action Myth: Why Blacks Don't Need Racial Preferences to Succeed." The hosts analyze how government interventions intended to support marginalized communities may inadvertently cause harm.

• Colby Ekowitz highlights key points:

  "Between 1940 and 1960, the black poverty rate in the country fell 40 points from 87% to 47%. 1960 is not only before any affirmative action started, it's during Jim Crow." [43:32]

• Joe Getty echoes the sentiment:

  "If you give people a little government help, it can often lead to the opposite outcomes that you want." [35:53]

The hosts critique the sustainability and effectiveness of such policies, questioning whether they truly serve the intended beneficiaries or perpetuate dependency and systemic issues.

5. Final Thoughts: Reflecting on Societal Balance and Well-being

In the concluding segment, the hosts offer personal reflections on maintaining balance amidst societal chaos.

• Colby Ekowitz shares:

  "I watch an NBA game and enjoy it instead of some roundtable news show. I go to bed happier." [46:31]

• Joe Getty emphasizes the importance of mental rest:

  "You gotta let the brain rest now and again." [47:08]

The final thoughts serve as a reminder to find personal equilibrium and seek positivity in everyday activities despite the pervasive challenges discussed.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jack Armstrong: "The Houthis agreeing to stop targeting U.S. vessels." [03:26]

• Colby Ekowitz: "Conservative parents... seeing their sons lured toward Nazism by the woke." [06:30]

• Joe Getty: "Be careful when ye fight monsters, that ye do not become a monster yourself." [10:21]

• Colby Ekowitz: "Everybody's depressed, angry, doesn't think their government works. Stopped having kids." [21:31]

• Joe Getty: "If you give people a little government help, it can often lead to the opposite outcomes that you want." [35:53]

Conclusion

This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand presents a multifaceted exploration of international relations, sociocultural dynamics, and the unintended consequences of governmental policies. Through informed discussions and poignant reflections, the hosts offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the complexities shaping today's world.