Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "Plague Taxis!"

Date: August 19, 2025
Podcast: Armstrong & Getty (iHeartPodcasts)
Hosts: Jack Armstrong (A) & Joe Getty (B)
Episode Summary Prepared By: [Your Name]

Episode Overview

In this high-energy episode, Armstrong & Getty delve into the ongoing diplomatic negotiations over the Ukraine conflict, highlighting both the complexity of the situation and skepticism over Russian intent. The hosts use vivid metaphors and candid language to question whether Vladimir Putin is interested in real resolution and reflect on the immense challenges ahead (“the hard part”). Other key topics include international security guarantees, American domestic policy debates (notably mail-in voting), the culture on college campuses, homelessness and drug policy reforms in San Francisco, and updates on gender-affirming care policies in major California hospitals. The episode is rich in sharp wit, pointed skepticism, and trademark banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine Negotiations: The “Hard Part” Begins

• Backdrop: Recent historic White House diplomacy aiming to resolve the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
• Hosts Question Putin’s Intent:
  • “Does Putin have any interest in any of this? Has anybody checked? Because there's a chance he has no interest in this whatsoever. And if he doesn't, does any of this matter at all?” — Joe Getty [01:36]
  • The hosts argue that Western analysis wrongly assumes Putin wants peace; he may, in reality, have no intention of ending the conflict or may only pretend to negotiate for tactical advantage.
  • Metaphor Used: Negotiations compared to arguing over wedding decorations when the bride may never intend to say yes [03:24–06:45].
• Trump and Security Guarantees:
  • Trump has floated the idea of U.S. “backup security guarantees” for Ukraine, alongside European powers [04:12–05:11].
  • The hosts stress this is “a pretty big deal” and a significant shift from previous U.S. involvement.

2. Deep Skepticism Over Real Progress

• Doubt About Putin–Zelensky Meeting:
  • The emotional and psychological toll:
    “I just can't believe that Putin and Zelensky are gonna be in a room together, alone. It's brutal to contemplate...” — Jack Armstrong [07:10]
    • The hosts call out the horror of expecting Zelensky to meet or shake hands with Putin after recent Russian atrocities, such as missile strikes on civilians.
  • “Can you imagine if somebody did that to the U.S.…and our president was forced to go shake his hand and beg him for a deal?” — Jack Armstrong [07:52]
• Manipulation & Media Strategy:
  • Discussion about Putin’s likely psychological gamesmanship if a meeting takes place [08:15–08:56].
• Hot Mic Moment:
  • Trump conveying belief that “Putin really wants to… for me, he wants to do a deal” — hosts are incredulous and concerned about Trump’s trust in Putin [09:26–10:06].

3. Security Guarantees: What Does Commitment Mean?

• Analysis of what U.S. and European “guarantees” might actually involve:
  • Reference to John Bolton explaining such guarantees could mean direct military action if Ukraine is losing badly [04:23].
  • Anticipation of interviewing military analyst Mike Lyons in the next hour for a deeper dive [20:00].

4. Domestic Politics: Mail-In Ballots & Political Polarization

• Trump’s Position:
  • “Mail in ballots are corrupt. …You can never have a real democracy with mail in ballots.” — Donald Trump (clip) [10:52]
  • Hosts pivot to discuss the constitutional basis for states managing voting and the challenge of changing such systems [17:56–18:04].
• Satire: Referencing a Babylon Bee joke about banning mail-in ballots and “undue hardship on dead voters” [17:36].

5. News Rundown with Katie Green [13:46–17:36]

• Zelensky–Trump Meeting Coverage
• Media Critique: Exposing how media sometimes misreports causes of civilian casualties in Gaza.
• Culture Wars: Firing of a Yosemite park ranger over a transgender flag, AI commentary from Geoffrey Hinton, and the renaming of cable news channels.
• Health & Culture:
  • Cheese and nightmares,
  • Young men taking testosterone supplements (“T-maxing”),
  • Political satire on mail-in ballots.

6. College Campus Culture: Self-Censorship & Indoctrination [20:21–23:53]

• Findings:
  • 78% of students self-censor on gender, 72% on politics, and 80% admit to writing work that does not reflect their true views to align with professors.
  • “You give them a chance and they will tell you what they really think. …We're on the cusp…of a huge move toward the youngsters recognizing what's being done at colleges. It's not education at all, it's indoctrination.” — Joe Getty [20:49]
  • Importance of “preference falsification” leading to possible “preference cascade” if students realize they’re not alone in their beliefs.

7. San Francisco & Progressive Policy Reversals [23:53–29:44]

• Homelessness: City has sharply increased arrests/citations for illegal lodging, leading to cleaner streets [24:52]. Hosts mock critics who claim this is merely displacing the homeless.
• Drug Policy: San Francisco shifting away from “harm reduction” as an end in itself and back toward aiming for recovery.
  • Sharp critique: “What began as a campaign to keep people alive…has devolved into a philosophy that no longer considers recovery as necessary or even desirable.” — Joe Getty [26:26]
• Gender-Affirming Surgeries for Minors:
  • Major California hospitals have paused or reduced gender-affirming surgeries for under-19s due to political and social pressure [31:14], described as a positive reversal by the hosts.
  • “Can you imagine executing those confused wishes? Or just monsters?” — Joe Getty [32:14]
  • Affirmation for “gay little fellas and butch girls: You're exactly the way you ought to be.” [32:29]

8. Return of the Cold (Literal & Metaphoric “Plague Taxis”) [29:44–31:06]

• Lighthearted chat about the return of cold season as kids head back to school.
• “There's a nice sales lady around here. Calls kids going to school plague taxis.” — Joe Getty [31:04]

9. Listener Feedback & “Mailbag” [34:09–38:17]

• Stories of parent protest against drag queen events in elementary schools.
• Discussion of Florida's new curriculum about the history and dangers of communism.
• Satirical “Book of Gavin” segment lampooning California’s political leadership and policies.

Notable Quotes

• “Does Putin have any interest in any of this? Has anybody checked? …If he doesn't, does any of this matter at all?” — Joe Getty [01:36]
• “It's not as if it is inevitable. If you wrestle manfully enough with the issues and negotiate skillfully and generously…you will come to an agreement. It's possible…the parties…have no overlap here. …Is that not the most likely outcome?” — Jack Armstrong [05:59]
• “I just can't believe that Putin and Zelensky are gonna be in a room together, alone. It's brutal to contemplate…” — Jack Armstrong [07:10]
• “Mail in ballots are corrupt. Mail in ballots. You can never have a real democracy with mail in ballots.” — Donald Trump (clip) [10:52]
• “You give them a chance and they will tell you what they really think. …It's not education at all, it's indoctrination.” — Joe Getty [20:49]
• “Plague taxis.” — Joe Getty on kids returning to school and spreading germs [31:04]
• “Can you imagine executing those confused wishes? Or just monsters?” — Joe Getty re: gender surgeries on minors [32:14]
• “You're exactly the way you ought to be. Have a great life. …Don't let those sickos hack you up.” — Jack Armstrong [32:29]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Theme and Main Topic Introduction: [00:32–01:20]
• Deep Dive: Putin’s Intentions & Negotiations Metaphor: [01:20–06:45]
• Putin–Zelensky Face-to-Face Discussion: [07:10–08:10]
• Trump’s “Security Guarantee” and Hot Mic Analysis: [09:26–10:42]
• Mail-In Voting Debate/Trump Clip: [10:52–11:36]
• News Rundown with Katie Green: [13:46–17:36]
• College Campus Self-Censorship: [20:21–23:53]
• San Francisco Policy & Drug Harm Reduction: [23:53–29:44]
• Gender Treatments for Minors Policy Changes: [31:14–32:52]
• Return of the Cold/“Plague Taxis”: [31:04–31:06]
• Listener Mailbag: [34:09–38:17]

Memorable Moments

• The “wedding” metaphor for the Ukraine negotiations—arguing over details when one party never intended to commit—recurs throughout the episode with wry humor.
• “Plague taxis” as a nickname for schoolchildren returning with germs is a fan-favorite quote.
• Searing critique of “harm reduction” drug policy morphing into enabling addiction instead of aiming for recovery.
• The satirical “Book of Gavin” Bible-style reading mocking California’s leadership.

Tone and Style

• The episode is characteristically irreverent, skeptical, and candid, blending substantive geopolitical commentary with comedic metaphors and biting satire.
• Hosts frequently break up complex policy analysis with personal anecdotes and asides, creating an engaging and accessible flow.

For Further Listening

• The next hour is set to feature military analyst Mike Lyons for a deep dive into the real-world military implications of U.S. and European security guarantees for Ukraine.
• Ongoing coverage of domestic policy shifts, particularly in blue-state cities backing away from progressive extremes.

For new listeners: This episode is a quintessential example of Armstrong & Getty’s trademark blend of realpolitik, cultural critique, and comedic banter. If you want an irreverent but insightful take on world affairs, U.S. politics, and the state of American culture—this is a must-listen!