Shell Them Until The Penguins Bounce

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Shell Them Until The Penguins Bounce
Date: January 21, 2026
Host: iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Armstrong and Getty dive into the political standoff around President Trump’s provocative statements about seizing Greenland, the subsequent international uproar, and the art (or chaos) of Trumpian negotiation. They also explore the hesitance of Democratic politicians to answer direct questions on transgender issues, and discuss broader progressive and moderate divides in American politics. The show’s signature style is a lively blend of satire, sharp commentary, and thought-provoking analogies, keeping the serious topics relatable and engaging.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Greenland ‘Crisis’ and Trump’s Negotiation Style

[00:28-11:52]

• Davos Meetings: European officials view a crisis moment approaching, with critical meetings involving President Trump in Davos. Mark Carney is quoted: "this isn’t a transition, this is a rupture." ([00:28])
• Trump’s Rhetorical Strategy: The hosts discuss Trump’s maximalist approach—raising outlandish positions (e.g., annexing Greenland by force) as a hardline negotiating tactic, with no real expectation of following through.
  • “He never takes anything off the table... presents the maximalist approach so you can ease back to the spot that he actually wanted as negotiation.” – Michael ([05:13])
• Media Sensationalism: There’s skepticism about whether European leaders treat this as a genuine crisis or media hype.
• Military Fallout Hypothetical:
  • Tom Rogan’s scenario: A forced Greenland seizure would provoke mass resignations among U.S. military leadership and destroy Trump’s political capital. Congressional action would swiftly block such moves ([02:46-04:31]).
  • “I think all the Joint Chiefs would resign. I think you’d see 75 generals resign…” – Joe Getty ([03:17])
• International Law: Reminder that the U.S. is bound by NATO and UN charters, making any such action illegal and impeachable ([06:45]).
• Metaphors for Negotiation: The hosts liken Trump’s tactics to extreme bargaining, suggesting real-world diplomatic stakes make this a risky strategy ([10:16]).

2. The Farcical End to the 'Greenland Crisis'

[09:04-14:29]

• Trump’s “Walk Back”: After international furor, Trump publicly claims the U.S. won’t use force to annex Greenland, putting the crisis to rest.
  • “He just said... the United States won’t use force to take Greenland, repeating that control of it was necessary for national international security.” – Michael ([08:20-09:04])
• Comedic Relief:
  • “Michael’s worried about being drafted… up to age 50, to bring men over to fight in Greenland.” – Joe Getty, satirizing the hyperbole ([09:13-09:26])
• European Perspective: The real-world alliances and public sentiment can’t simply ignore Trump’s rhetoric, no matter how performative ([09:26-11:44]).
• Negotiation as Domestic Argument: They mockingly compare these tactics to an exaggerated domestic dispute:
  • “If we don’t go to my parents house for Thanksgiving… I’m going to divorce you…” – Michael ([10:16])
  • “Something in between. Ish.” – Joe Getty notes there’s a rational middle ground ([11:44])

3. International Reactions and Online Mockery

[11:52-14:31]

• Piers Morgan’s Suggestion: British journalist suggests EU soccer teams boycott the World Cup in protest; responses highlight how little Americans care about international soccer, with several quips from “Cat Turd” and others.
  • “The only thing worse that could happen to American men is if Piers Morgan threatened to cancel a season of the WNBA.” ([13:23])
• Alliances as Friendships: Armstrong and Getty extend the metaphor, saying alliances are like friends who sometimes don’t bring enough to the party—but you still work together ([14:22]).

4. Betting on Politics & Ethics of Prediction Markets

[15:10-16:39]

• Polymarket and Political Betting: The discussion turns to prediction markets, where some users clearly benefit from inside information, raising concerns about legality and fairness.
  • “Taylor Swift’s gynecologist is going to put a bet on when the baby’s coming…” – Michael ([16:18])

5. Democratic Evasions on Transgender Issues

[17:08-26:54]

• Democratic Candidate Silence: Axios survey of 2028 Democratic hopefuls finds most refuse to answer “Can a man become a woman?”, with Rahm Emanuel as the lone “No” ([18:53]).
  • “Take a position and just defend it.” – Chris Solisa, quoted approvingly by the hosts ([22:09])
• Gavin Newsom Dodges: Extended audio parody of California Governor Newsom’s rambling replies on the issue ([19:05–20:44]).
• Progressive Worldview: Critical analysis of the progressive mindset; refusal to address such questions is seen as rooted in a belief that opposition comes only from bigotry or ignorance ([23:09–26:54]).
  • “We are the moral vanguard, and opposition to our program stems from bigotry, ignorance, or malice.” – Quinn Q, via Joe Getty ([25:31])

6. Broader Progressive-Moderate Divide

[32:54–36:05]

• Attitudes Toward Bedrock Institutions: Discussion on how many progressives regard foundational concepts—citizenship, parental authority, consequences of rapid demographic change, merit, and social binaries—as “morally wrong.”
• “These are not far-right positions... their baseline assumptions held by the overwhelming majority...” – Joe Getty ([34:12])
• Debate Wish-List: Armstrong and Getty wish presidential debates would tackle these fundamental—yet often ignored—questions head-on ([35:06]).

7. Lighter Moments and Running Gags

Interspersed

• “Shell Them Until the Penguins Bounce” – The episode title is referenced in jest about unlikely U.S. military actions in Greenland.
• Draft Anxiety: Ongoing jokes about Michael being called up to fight in Greenland ([09:13], [36:05]).
• Fat Jokes & Penis References: Brief, edgy lampooning of Illinois governor JB Pritzker ([17:11–17:26]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Approach:
  "That lay waste and leave bloody lips and resentment and bitter tears on the trail to the negotiated settlement. That works fine if you're building New Jersey casinos, but it's not good when you have allies who are spending blood to support you.”
  — Joe Getty ([05:47])
• On Congressional Response:
  “Mr. Trump would extinguish his political capital in a single moment... Congress would likely move immediately to block funding or otherwise restrict the use of military force.”
  — Paraphrasing Tom Rogan ([04:07])
• On Progressive Moral Certitude:
  “We are the moral vanguard, and opposition to our program stems from bigotry, ignorance, or malice.”
  — Quinn Q, via Joe Getty ([25:31])
• On Transgender Question Evasion:
  "Pathetic. Take a position and just defend it."
  — Chris Solisa ([22:09])
• On Prediction Markets:
  “Taylor Swift's gynecologist is going to put a bet on when the the baby's coming and make a bunch of money and delete it. Delete the account.”
  — Michael ([16:18])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:28–08:15 – Breakdown of “crisis” at Davos; Trump’s negotiation style
• 08:20–14:31 – Trump walks back; international and social media reactions; soccer as leverage
• 15:10–16:39 – Betting on political outcomes, ethics, and inside knowledge
• 17:08–26:54 – Transgender policy question evasions by Democrats
• 32:54–36:05 – Critique of progressive worldview and mainstream beliefs

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Tone & Style

The Armstrong & Getty Show delivers its political and cultural commentary with a distinct blend of wit, skepticism, and irreverence. The hosts balance satire with earnest discussion, using vivid analogies and personal anecdotes to break down complex or absurd news cycles for their audience. There is frequent banter and self-deprecation, and even the weightiest topics are filtered through the duo’s unique comedic perspective.

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This summary covers all substantive content, skipping ads and housekeeping. For listeners seeking the full depth, humor, and strong opinions of the show, this episode provides both sharp analysis and comic relief on some of the week’s most pressing (and bizarre) headlines.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast, guaranteed human.

[Jack Armstrong]

Broadcasting. Live from the Abraham Lincoln radio Studio at the George Washington Broadcast Center, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty.

[Joe Getty]

Armstrong and Getty. And now here's Armstrong and Getty.

European officials are treating this as if it's a crisis moment. And what's about to take place in Davos, the meetings the President is going to have, whoever meets with him, the meetings that they'll be having on the sidelines as well, aside from the President. It is that kind of a moment of we need to figure out. I think Mark Carney in Davos today earlier said, this isn't a transition, this is a rupture. And I think that's how it's being viewed.

Is it full crisis Mode, Red alert, DEFCON 1? The post World War II order is falling apart? Or is it. We have a lot of meetings scheduled on Greenland. I'm leaving tonight, as you know, Davos, and we have a lot of meetings scheduled on Greenland. And I think things are going to work out pretty well, actually. Try to sound less like Don Corleone and the godfather, Mr. President. So him saying, yeah, we're going to have a lot of meetings, it'll work out fine. I think that was one of Trump's first winks at the camera or the audience where he said, yeah, we'll get together and talk about it. All this has been posturing.

[Michael]

You think by the end of the day today, the crisis, if it is a crisis, will be over? I mean, media outlets are reporting like European leaders are treating this like a crisis. I don't know if they actually are or not.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, well. Oh, yeah. As the news report said, they quoted Mark Carney, who is the weak lefty leader of Canada and who cares? Although the Conservative would have gotten elected if Trump hadn't said over and over again we were going to annex Canada. Anyway. He's. He's saying, yeah, it's a rupture, not a transition. I've been saying all along the idea of, like, military action is so insane for reasons. I'll explain in a minute that it just. It's not going to happen. So what is the next most likely thing to happen? And that's a negotiated settlement. Now shock damage is done. Well. Oh, Lord. Oh, boy. Who are you gonna shock? The polar bears? Anyway, the most likely scenario is a negotiating settlement, but how much damage is gonna be done by Trump's bowl in the China Shop Act? I don't know. I thought this was interesting.

[Michael]

I finally came across Shell em until the penguins bounce.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, boy. Wait What? Tom Rogan is a super smart guy. Sometimes I agree with him. Sometimes I think he's off his rocker. Took the time to play out what would happen if Trump gave an order to seize Greenland by force. And he says, and feel free to, you know, agree or disagree with any of these, obviously, but he said it would likely provoke a mass resignation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in protest of an unjustified attack on a close ally. That is true.

[Michael]

I think.

[Joe Getty]

I think all the Joint Chiefs would. Would resign. I think you'd see 75 generals resign, but carefully preserved. And who can blame them?

[Michael]

Would they be quickly replaced by Trump agreement people who say, okay, let's do it.

[Joe Getty]

Let's go ahead and attack a NATO member? I don't think so. The US Military knows the ultimate foundation of its power isn't guns, but America's moral credibility and shared strategic interests with allies. Okay, I hear weakness. Only the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs would likely remain in office, and even then, only to uphold the sacred principle of civilian control over the military. The order would spark immediate action from bipartisan majorities in Congress for much the same reason polling suggest Americans overwhelmingly oppose any attack. Mr. Trump would extinguish his political capital in a single moment. The GOP is already fleeting. Midterm election prospects would evaporate. The age of MAGA would come to an icy and abrupt end. Congress would likely move immediately to block funding or otherwise restrict the use of military force in short order and for good reason, etc. Etc.

[Michael]

You don't think we could just, you know, we just pull a boat up there to the beach and a bunch of Marines get off and they walk to the Capitol and they lower their flag and put up ours, and nobody's gonna fire a shot. Done and done.

[Joe Getty]

Ah, well, no, no, no. I think you've been watching too many cartoons or something. It's not the way it works in the real world. No, it'd be an absolute horror. Upending the. The Western alliance and the NATO alliance, pleasing Vladimir Putin. I mean, more than anything, since he got Crimea. It'd just be. It would be horrible. Just horrible.

[Michael]

Well, so if. If we're back to the idea of that, the way that Trump handles things is he never takes anything off the table, and he presents the. The maximalist approach so that you can ease back to the spot that he actually wanted as negotiation. Yeah, it seems like if you were, like, trying to buy a car from him, he would say, I want $4 million for it, and I won't take a cent Less. Okay, you're not. You don't have a 4 million dollar.

[Joe Getty]

Car worth about 80 grand.

[Michael]

So what are we doing here?

[Joe Getty]

I mean, is that the way it works? As I said, I think it was yesterday. It's long bothered me that Trump, I don't think, appreciates the historic importance of the presidency. And he's not unique necessarily in that regard. There have been several who have crapped on the presidency in recent years in various ways, but that lay waste and leave bloody lips and resentment and bitter tears on the trail to the negotiated settlement. That works fine if you're building New Jersey casinos, but it's not good when you have allies who are spending blood to support you. Adjusted for inflation, Denmark lost the equivalent of a couple of thousand guys fighting alongside us in Iraq and Afghanistan. I mean, that's, that's a tie. That's not like words on a treaty. Oh, which reminds me, by the way, United States law includes the NATO charter and are signing onto it. And also there was another one of significance. Oh, well, the, the UN Charter, both of which says you can't invade another country, you can't take their land. And so that's not international law, folks. That's United States law that Trump would be a VI in violation of, so he'd be impeached immediately.

[Michael]

Okay, well, it's kind of a weird conversation to have. So if we're presenting the idea that he doesn't mean this in the first place, it's just the way he negotiates. I don't know why everybody always goes through the, this is what would happen if he's serious, if we think he's not serious. It's just he always goes with the hardest ass position on everything.

[Joe Getty]

Right. Try to get off balance.

[Michael]

Yeah, yeah. To, to try to put people in a position where they'll, okay, you can have four bases and we'll pay for it, you know, or whatever, as an off ramp. Well, you know, America's hat has, you know, they're like the population of California. So it's like talking to the governor of California when you're talking to the leader of Canada. That's, that's worth remembering. But yeah, you know, if Trump's going to go around saying these things, you can't all just pretend he's bluffing all the time. You got to come up with some sort of position. We got to take a break.

[Joe Getty]

We'll be right back.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Michael]

So British journalist Piers Morgan yesterday offered up a solution or a way to fight back against Trump on this whole Tariff Greenland thing, which we'll get to in a little bit because it's kind of hilarious. But Trump is in Switzerland, took off this morning in his plane. They had to turn around and come back cause they had electrical problems. But they got a new plane, tiny plane, took off, got there. He gave a speech and he just said a little bit ago that the United States won't use force to take Greenland, repeating that control of it was necessary for national international security. He said, quote, the United States would be appreciative if the world acquiesced to our desire to take over the territory. Or you can say no and we will remember.

[Joe Getty]

Okay, all right.

[Michael]

So it's over, I guess.

[Joe Getty]

Okay. Crisis is over. Yeah. Oh my gosh. So there'll be no draft.

[Michael]

Michael's worried about being drafted.

[Joe Getty]

Michael's been doing push ups in the studio, jumping jacks, getting ready in case he's called.

[Michael]

They'll be drafting up to age 50 to bring men over to fight in Greenland.

[Joe Getty]

Great Scott. So okay. All right. Goodness sakes. So getting back to the point I was making, if I'm a European leader and Trump is making noises like he's going to attack a NATO ally and as you were making the point that you know, this is just his maximalist, getting everybody on their heels, upsetting everybody, exhausting everybody, cuz that's the way he likes to clear the field for negotiation. Even if you know that as a national leader of a NATO country, having been threatened that your biggest and most important ally is going to attack you, what do you say? Do you just say that's the way he negotiates, it's fine to your people because they're going crazy over there.

[Michael]

Well, like so you know, you and your wife are you, you don't agree on where you should go for Thanksgiving this year, her parents or your parents. Damn, that's.

[Joe Getty]

And you got some tension and you.

[Michael]

Start with I am going to divorce you and I'm going to spend every cent I've got to get full custody, the kids. If we don't go to my parents house for Thanksgiving. If you then walk that back to okay, we'll do your parents this year, my parents next year.

[Joe Getty]

You can't just. I'm willing to compromise and talk about it.

[Michael]

Can't just ignore the thing you said.

[Joe Getty]

Earlier about that's, that's what I've been saying all along in that Trump doesn't care if he is negotiating the use of a 10 acre parcel in Jersey City, who he wounds or pisses off or threatens you know, but it matters. In alliances. It doesn't matter quite as much as, like the Barack Obamas and Joe Biden pretended it did because they let NATO become a flabby, useless, you know, practically a parasite on the economy of the United States. So there's, there's probably a middle ground somewhere between making yourself a martyr and never standing up for yourself and growing to hate your wife and her family, or screeching that I'm gonna divorce you and steal the kids and you'll never see them again. Something in between. Ish.

[Michael]

It looks like it's over now. And his whole, okay, but if you don't give us Greenland, we'll remember this. Okay, that's what I'd say if I was right.

[Joe Getty]

All right, remember it then. Trust me, we'll remember it too.

[Michael]

Good Lord, I thought this ended up kind of unintentionally funny. Piers Morgan yesterday came up with this plan. He's a journalist from Britain. Maybe. So the World cup soccer is in the United States this time around.

[Joe Getty]

North America, maybe. Countries.

[Michael]

Yeah, maybe England, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Norway and Italy should all pause participation in the World cup while the various tariff negotiation continue with President Trump. Eight of the 10 favored teams to win. Withdrawing might concentrate his mind. The replies from like some big time Twitter people were all pretty good from, you know, interesting to funny. Cat turd. And I hate that name, but he's very famous online presence with a million.

[Joe Getty]

Moniker and they lose a bet.

[Michael]

Maybe the USA should end all trade and relations with those countries until they stop arresting people for free speech, memes and hurdy words. That's pretty good.

[Joe Getty]

Wow, said Mr. Turd.

[Michael]

But then lots and lots of I wish I could use the, the real words because it'd be better. Nobody gives an S about soccer in the United States. You think that's a threat?

[Joe Getty]

Oh, no. Oh no.

[Michael]

The soccer teams aren't going to come.

[Joe Getty]

What will we do? I'm sure there's some economist out there who would say, well, it's actually expected to bring $175 million worth of something or other.

[Michael]

I like this one. The only thing worse that could happen to American men is if Piers Morgan threatened to cancel a season of the wnba.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, well, now it's personal. Although, you know, getting back to your. Your charming metaphor about marital life to respond to the, you know, I'm going to divorce you and spend all my money to get full custody. Oh, really? Well, I'm going to kill the kids so you never see them again is probably not a good way to run a relationship. No, to cite a particularly horrific example, for which I apologize, but those responses were really funny. But the tendency of everybody to one up it. Oh yeah, and stick your chest out. All right. These are our friends. Some of them are kind of crappy friends who never bring anything to the party. But we've been working with them on bringing a six pack and maybe a bag of chips. Things are getting better.

[Michael]

Well, it looks like that little mini crisis in American history is over. We're not going to war over Greenland. Michael's not going to be drafted. All is well.

[Joe Getty]

Thank God the penguins are safe.

[Michael]

The penguins are safe. We can move on to the next crisis, which whatever that is. We do want to talk a little bit about the Iran situation for real. Maybe we'll get to that next hour with who was it that wrote a piece for the Wall Street Journal? Their foreign minister or whatever?

[Joe Getty]

Indeed, yeah, Iran's foreign minister. Plus, are you into poly market? There are a couple of these websites like predict it.org I was on for a while where you can make bets essentially on non sportsy stuff like will Trump survive? Not survive, but will he serve his entire term? Will the Democrats win the House of Representatives, Blah, blah, blah.

[Michael]

Is it all politics?

[Joe Getty]

No, no, no. It can be other stuff too. The stuff I'm familiar with is politics, but could be insiders, government insiders have figured out, hey, I can make a mint because I know what policy's gonna be. Just like they bet the stock market, now they're betting poly market. Like can you.

[Michael]

Insider trading, like can you bet on when Travis and Taylor get married or whether they get a divorce or stuff like that or.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. Oh, you can, sure, yeah. I haven't like scanned the entire thing, but yeah, it's that sort of thing really. Anything that's come to humankind's attention. The reason this is getting so much attention is that some myster human made a big huge bet in January hours before U.S. troops headed to Caracas. Bet that Maduro would be out of power before the end of the month. The Bet paid out $400,000, a 12 fold profit in a matter of hours.

[Michael]

And this is somebody who had inside information or gave inside. Got inside information from somebody. Had to be, right? Yeah, yeah.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, 100%. I mean, they quickly deleted their account.

[Michael]

Okay, well, we know what's going on there. Well, that's the problem with the sports gambling. And now if we're going to gamble on everything, you know, Taylor Swift's gynecologist is going to put a bet on when the the baby's coming and make a bunch of money and delete it. Delete the account.

[Joe Getty]

Oh boy. And what's being called Cervix gate. Yes, Cervix gate.

[Michael]

Exactly.

[Joe Getty]

Oh boy. Yeah.

[Michael]

These are odd times. No doubt. Lots of stuff on the way. I do want to get to what Elon said yesterday about where we are on AI at some point we do need to talk about that. If he's right, things are going to get really exciting this year.

[Joe Getty]

And Democrats are still trying to figure out what a woman is. An update on that topic. Stay with us.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Gettysburg.

[Joe Getty]

JB Pritzker refused to answer if a man could become a woman. In his defense, it's hard to be an expert at genitalia when you can't see your own. Oh, that's a fat joke.

[Michael]

That's a guy's too fat to see his own penis joke.

[Joe Getty]

Brother's got a weight problem. There's no reason to kick him. Huh?

[Michael]

There are mirrors. He's probably sees it.

[Joe Getty]

That's a good point. Yeah. Michael, that was a bad joke. You shouldn't even pull that one. Offered it to us. So I think that's a comment on the fact that Axios recently asked the democratic politicians the 20 of them most likely to run for president in 2028 a few basic questions about so called transgender issues, including can a man become a woman? Nearly all of them declined to comment or failed to respond. Josh Shapiro, Pete Buttigieg, Rahm Emanuel. They were the only ones who bothered to respond. Former Veep Kamala Harris. Good lord. Her running for president again. Please God, please.

[Guest or Caller]

Yes.

[Michael]

Do you have Rahm's answer?

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, actually I do. I'm just gonna run through the names real quick. AOC JB Pritzker, he of the invisible privates and Gov Gav of California were among the Democrats who declined to weigh in. Shapiro and Buddha Judge Edge. Edge referred to their vague remarks in prior interviews about how local officials and experts should make decisions about transgender particip participation in sports. And both have also kind of hinted that male athletes might have an unfair advantage. Can a man become a woman? Only one Democratic candidate answered no, and that's Rahm Emanuel.

[Michael]

There you go. No, he's. He's gonna try it. He's gonna see if you can get the nomination in the Democratic Party running against Woke. He's going to try it.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. Yeah. The Axios report. And Michael, I'd meant to remind you that that Gav Newsome clip that I asked for earlier, do you have that Handy. Is that a yes or no? Yeah. Okay, great. This came comes only days after Gavin Newsom dodged Ben Shapiro's question about whether boys can become girls on the governor's own podcast.

[Guest or Caller]

Good people disagree on this.

[Podcast Announcer]

I know.

[Guest or Caller]

But in a lot of states, not just California, well established rules by the way that predate me. Again, this is not where I started. We're campaigning and advocating on these issues as some suggest. And, and look, I'm with the governor, Governor Spencer Cox, who said about many of these issues never so much attention been placed on so few people.

[Podcast Announcer]

And the problem is I do think that on an electoral level to go to the politics it is a barrier to entry for a lot of people.

[Joe Getty]

I agree with that. I agree with why I can become.

[Podcast Announcer]

A girl and then just. I do agree on a realistic and.

[Guest or Caller]

I by the way and I respect if that's your barrier to then listening to people on a myriad of other issues, so be it. It is what it is.

[Podcast Announcer]

I just find it, I find it strange that we got to jump in here.

[Joe Getty]

I thought we were going to use the fairly short clip where he answers with a 12 grunt pile of gibberish. Do we not have that?

[Michael]

But so does he ever answer the question?

[Podcast Announcer]

The fundamental question that lies at the root of all of this is the question that you're not wanting to answer, which is whether boys can become girls.

[Guest or Caller]

Yeah, I just don't. Well, I think for the grace of God.

[Podcast Announcer]

Yeah, I mean I appreciate the sympathy.

[Joe Getty]

What?

[Guest or Caller]

Yeah, I just don't want I think for the grace of God.

[Michael]

Well, did Ben Shapiro let him get away with that? No, he followed up series of noises.

[Joe Getty]

I don't actually know how it ended up but Ben followed up.

[Michael]

But.

[Joe Getty]

And, and so just as notable as the silence from the prospective Democrats, it's point on the free beacon is the outrage directed at Axios for daring to ask these questions. You and Axios are a national embarrassment. Wrote one guy writes for the athletic. Former Obama tech guru James Villa Ryub said this is Axios crapping on Dems and platforming a GOP issue but calling it journalism because they're vetting candidates. Axios is such uses the S word these days. Liberal podcaster Tim Miller especially agreed. Quote can a man become a woman is such a rage bait bull ask question has no bearing on policy, blah blah, blah.

[Michael]

Well here's where it does have bearing on policy because.

[Joe Getty]

While it is true.

[Michael]

That never has so much, you know, ink been spilled over so few people. If as Gavin said, and it's absolutely true, it's a barrier to entry for very many people. On all your other issues, I need to know this right off the bat. Can a man become a woman? And if you say no, then I have no interest in what you have to say about anything else. You can't be in the Democratic Party, right, in a lot of situations unless you say yes to that. And that's weird.

[Joe Getty]

To his credit and I'm surprised Chris Solisa said of the Axios questions and the non answers. Pathetic. Take a position and just defend it.

[Michael]

Exactly.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. And at least one Democratic strategist, Liam Kerr, agreed, told Axios the candidate should have a clear answer, whatever it is. Yeah, I would agree completely.

[Michael]

Well, I think, I also think Rahm Emanuel believes, as I believe, that they're all wrong. You can say no and you're gonna be fine.

[Joe Getty]

Well, that's true too, because the vast.

[Michael]

Majority of people, even in the Democratic Party are on your side.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, and, and the, the thing that, you know, nobody, nobody understands this. I don't think anybody cares about it. The reason that it matters, even though it's a relatively small number of people, as the one person pointed, Gavin, I guess, pointed out in that rambling.

[Guest or Caller]

Yeah, I just said, well, I think for the grace of God he should.

[Michael]

Have just gone that order the same way.

[Joe Getty]

But that thing about never before if so few people, blah blah blah. It is a specific strategy of these people, of the critical theory crowd, to erase all binaries and to get you to say that which you know to be false. Because once they get you to abandon your sense of the truth, they have you the, the transgender thing is part of a much bigger strategy. And again, some of you are like, what is Joe talking about? They wrote books. Their names are on the spine. They're proud of them. They explain exactly what they wanted to do and how they're going to do it. And this is part of it. Anyway. Having said that, I came across a really interesting article. It's kind of on this topic by Quinn Q. And I almost didn't read it. It was entitled Progressives Must Apologize Before It's Too Late, which is kind of an odd title because his, his point is a lot more specific and kind of nuanced than that. And then he kicks as recline for a while, which I really appreciate it. If you don't know who he is, don't worry. He's unimportant to your life. He's a progressive who tries to masquerade as a moderate, but he writes when topics like trans immigration so on actually come up. Ezra, like a lot of folks, still thinks that most Americans are fundamentally and morally wrong. Which means his pivot toward what he portrays as reasonableness is bullass. No wonder he never apologized. He isn't sorry, and his mind is as closed as ever. The same dynamic plays out everywhere. Progressives claim to have moderated on crime, on education, on speech. They adjust their language just enough to avoid total campaign disasters and PR implosions, but they never question the core conviction that animates everything they do. Quote here's their core conviction. We are the moral vanguard, and opposition to our program stems from bigotry, ignorance, or malice. I think that shoe fits pretty well. You, you picture any, any topic, any scenario where you're standing up to progressives, where they don't portray you as a bigot, an ignoramus, or just cruel, mean. And he says until progressives actually abandon this worldview, until they apologize for their excesses, reform their institutions, and build relationships with the moderate majority, the reactionary tide will continue rising. The far right will keep winning, and progressives will have no one to blame but themselves. The time for reckoning is now, before it's too late. You know, I think he's right. I heard a great thinker. I can't remember his name. I'll look it up and share it with you because I think he's super smart. But he was talking about how our politics, like on the surface, that we can all see and hear and raise money on and all are so different from how most Americans actually see the world, which is overwhelmingly, fairly moderate and pragmatic. Americans are an incredibly pragmatic people. And most of our politics is super idealized on one side or the other. And it's weird. And he and this Quinn Q I'm quoting now, both believe that if somebody, you know, an honest, moderate lefty, were to say, look, you want to present as a woman, that's fine. Nobody could gets to hurt you. Nobody gets to fire you or whatever. We can talk about all that stuff. That's fine. But you can't be dominating women's sports. That's just wrong that most Americans would say, hallelujah, who is this guy? I'm voting for him.

[Michael]

Yeah, that guy is Rahm Emanuel who that guy is.

[Joe Getty]

He sure as hell trying to be.

[Michael]

Yep. So Southwest has been teasing their big change to the seating policy for a while. It's happening next week. So he can bring you up to speed on that right after we tell you about Price picks. It's a good time to get in on the action. There's all kinds of football happening. Also in the middle of a basketball season. Does Olympics play come into play? Any of this? I don't even know.

[Joe Getty]

I have no idea. The large game, the largest game, the game that is superb to me is coming up. And there's no better way to cash in during America's biggest sporting event than prize picks, where it always feels good to be right. And since the big game is right around the corner, that also means this is your last chance to get into football action before next season. So close the season out. Right. With prize picks, you get $50 instantly to play in lineups. For fun. When you play just a five dollar lineup. That's right, you play five, they give you fifty all every year.

[Michael]

I find it amusing that the most watched TV show in the world you can't by law mention hilarious. But yeah, with price picks you can get involved and you know, I might put my money where my mouth is on that whole quarterback for the Patriots on this whole thing. Download the Price Picks app today.

[Joe Getty]

Yep. Use the code Armstrong. You get $50 in lineups after you play your first stop. Follow five dollar lineup prize picks. It's good to be right.

[Michael]

So what's the theory on protecting that word?

[Joe Getty]

They think that super bowl, you can't use it for commercial purposes. Just like you couldn't use Armstrong and Getty for commercial purposes without our permission. Right.

[Michael]

But when something gets that big, does it really, does it help you or hurt you? Well, like for, I don't know, I would love it if people mentioned our name in every commercial for free. Go ahead, mention my name.

[Joe Getty]

I see your point.

[Michael]

As often as you can.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, I just think it's. Yeah. Because if they permitted it. Well, there are two problems. Number one, if they permitted it, it would go crazy. Absolutely crazy. You would have every single brand in America claiming to be the official super bowl this or that or getting in on the action. Secondly, in copyright law, and this is a conversation we've had a few times, but it's worth repeating for people so they understand why McDonald's shuts down McDonald's hot dogs and burgers in New Mexico run by some guy named Angus McDonald. Poor bastard, he's just trying to make an honest living. It's because in copyright law, in similar law, patent law, you need to consistently defend the copyright. For courts to say, yeah, that's their copyright and they care about it and they defend it.

[Michael]

That's too bad because.

[Joe Getty]

And you slack, you don't get to change your mind. And enforce it.

[Michael]

Angus boils up a good dog.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, oh, super. He'll do your Chicago dog. He'll do you a cheese dog. A chili dog. Terrific. And he has burgers too.

[Michael]

But he can't call his food cart McDonald's. He just can't.

[Joe Getty]

Nope. Sorry, Angus.

[Michael]

So this tease has been coming for a long time. I'm not happy about it, but it's coming next weekend. The 27th flights departing on or after the 27th will now have seat assignments for Southwest. The end of the whole.

[Joe Getty]

Get in.

[Michael]

Line and get your seat early and you get a good seat thing, which I think most people liked. Is there anybody that didn't like that?

[Joe Getty]

I hated it.

[Michael]

You didn't like it?

[Joe Getty]

No.

[Michael]

How come?

[Joe Getty]

Thought it was stupid. Because it introduced. Yeah, just a level of trouble and stress and everything else and just. No, just tell me what seat goes.

[Michael]

I've never found it troubling or stressful and I, you know, always had a great seat easily, so I loved it. Just. You didn't like having to check in on time to get the good, good. The good seat?

[Joe Getty]

Well, yeah, then you would. And then you'd be B43 anyway because there were a bunch of people with their privileged status or whatever and then the whole people faking that they were crippled to get on the flight and Jesus cured them in mid flight and they danced off the plane and just.

[Michael]

Well, I've always.

[Joe Getty]

And people in the wrong spot in line and just having police stating that was stupid.

[Michael]

It's interesting that that's your experience because my experience has been the exact opposite. It's better than all the other headlines. I always had a better seat and I found it incredible.

[Joe Getty]

That's why they're changing it.

[Michael]

Yeah, but most people must not have liked it because they are changing it.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. Huh.

[Michael]

I know. I've just seen Tim Sandifer, our friend, complaining about the change too, because he liked it anyway.

[Joe Getty]

Interesting. Yeah, indeed. To each their own. I think that's a beautiful example of how we can all get along. Right. By the way, I'm stupid. Completely stupid. Well. And I'm just a little overwhelmed with all the stuff I've had. I left out the. The best part of that column that I quoted. The best part. The blockbuster. The payoff. The guitar solo in Stairway to Heaven. I left it off.

[Michael]

Well, here's the good thing. We got a few more minutes left this hour and a bunch of other hours to talk. So stay tuned.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

It's amazing.

[Michael]

Every news publication that has a headline has the Headline, Trump backs off military threat to take Greenland. The fact that that was on the table is amazing, but it's off the table now. Trump has said no, we can bring you the highlights on that coming up in our three. Also, that was on the table in.

[Joe Getty]

The same way that like a dish of sheep eyeballs on the table would be on the table. Nobody's going to eat them. Oh, so gross.

[Michael]

We had that once when we were in Africa.

[Joe Getty]

I know. Well, it was put before us. I didn't eat any.

[Michael]

I didn't eat any either. It was looking at me. Scott Bessant has taken on Gavin Newsom in hilarious fashion over at Davos. And we've got that for you in our three. And also, LeBron James stayed one year too long, clearly with the Lakers. Now the owner's going after him. But so more on that coming up.

[Joe Getty]

So I was quoting a piece by Quinn Q in which he was suggesting that progressives really need to apologize and to backtrack because even when they seem to moderate, they still have that attitude. We are the moral vanguard and opposition to our program stems from bigotry, ignorance or malice. And he cites a couple of center lefty types like Sam Harris and Andrew Sullivan who understand what most progressive critics miss. The problem isn't just that progressives get specific policies wrong. It's that they've constructed an entire worldview in which very basic things most human for granted are deemed fundamentally and morally wrong. For instance, that foreigners are not citizens and citizens interests come first. That children are not adults capable of consenting to irreversible medical procedures. These are bedrock, indisputable facts. But he's quite right that progressives deny them. That rapid demographic transfer of of neighborhoods affects quality of life.

[Michael]

Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

One of your favorites.

[Michael]

That's because they live in neighborhoods where it's not being affected.

[Joe Getty]

Ah, the protected and unprotected class. Back to that. Yeah. That borders serve legitimate functions. How about that? Merit matters. Yeah, they systematically deny that.

[Michael]

I run into that one a lot.

[Joe Getty]

In what sense?

[Michael]

It's clear from the way people talk. They don't think marriage matters. It just.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, oh, it's a merit.

[Michael]

Oh, okay, okay.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. Although marriage too, obviously.

[Michael]

But I run into marriage too.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, yeah. That parents have primary authority over their children's education and upbringing.

[Michael]

Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

That is indisputable. And that the wrongness of racism and sexism leaves no space space for social justice. Carve outs. Racism against Asians or Europeans and Jews is still racism. Sexism against men is still sexism and so forth. And these are not FR positions held by Trumpy weirdos. Their baseline assumptions held by the overwhelming majorities across every Western liberal democracy. And progressives have spent 15 years treating people who hold these views as moral monsters.

[Michael]

Well, I wish we could have a presidential debate where all those topics were put before the candidates. Where do you come down on this? Does a foreigner have the same rights as a citizen?

[Joe Getty]

Right. Yeah. Are children capable of consenting to irreversible medical procedures or anything? Child's judgment and life experience or anything? Right. Yeah. Does it affect a person's neighborhood if the demographics change quickly and completely?

[Michael]

It's crazy.

[Joe Getty]

No. Well, then why do you object to. To gentrification, for instance, would be my follow up. Ah, well, that's the privilege. A white privilege. The patriarchy something, something critical theory.

[Michael]

So if it goes the other direction, good. If it gets more expensive and nicer, bad.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, that's funny. They've spent 15 years lecturing us that our bedrock beliefs are sick and wrong. They're not sick. They're not wrong.

[Michael]

Michael's so happy he's not going to be drafted into the war against Greenland. It's not going to happen.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty.

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