Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Sir!!!!
Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong (Joe Getty on vacation), with Katie Green

Episode Overview

This episode opens a new week with Jack Armstrong at the helm while Joe Getty calls in from England later. The discussion ranges from breaking developments in U.S. military deployments and foreign policy to personal anecdotes about the misadventures of adult sailing classes. The episode also features analysis of ongoing news stories (Ukraine, National Guard, postal tariffs), memorable banter, and listener-friendly humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weekly Possibilities & Joe’s Absence

• Jack welcomes listeners to the possibilities of a new week—everything from promotions to surprises, humorous or otherwise (00:14).
• Joe Getty is in England on vacation and will call in later. Jack and producer Michael joke about the beers Joe's probably trying.

2. National Guard Deployments and Trump’s Legal Stretch

• National Guard Troops Now Armed in D.C.

  • Troops are carrying firearms in D.C. for self-defense, but Jack worries about their lack of urban policing experience (01:00).
  • “There's an opportunity for something to go horribly wrong if any of these National Guard troops end up in a situation…” (01:20).

• Chicago & Federal Troop Deployment

  • President Trump is suggesting sending troops to Chicago to combat crime—a move Jack notes is legally questionable.
  • The theory that cartel activity gives the federal government more legal leeway in intervening is discussed, but Jack maintains any such move will face court challenges (02:10).

• Political Underpinnings

  • Jack frames these actions as playing into national narratives about crime, with Democrats on defensive and Trump seizing a "tough on crime" stance (24:53).

  “Just the average voter, I think we'll see. President Trump wants to do something about crime and in the crime ridden... I think it'll be a political win overall for the President.” (23:05)

3. The “Deep State,” Pentagon, and Ukraine Tensions

• Old vs. New Presidential Power Struggles
  • Jack recounts a recent article revealing how Pentagon bureaucracy undercut Ronald Reagan's nuclear arms plans with Gorbachev—labeling this the ‘deep state’ in action, now revealed through declassified documents. He draws a parallel to current Pentagon-White House frictions (04:10).
• Ukraine Situation
  • The peace process is “completely dead,” with Russia back to daily attacks. Jack highlights conflicting positions between the Pentagon and President Trump over allowing Ukraine to use U.S. weapons against Russia (03:22).
  • Memorable Quote:
    “You may have a bit of a the Pentagon not doing what their boss wants them to do situation, which is interesting.” (03:35)

4. Sailing Class Fiasco: Humorous Interlude

• Jack's Sailing Lesson Misadventures
  • Jack shares a personal story of being teamed up with an overbearing, hard-of-hearing old man during his beginner sailing class, leading to repeated tense exchanges:
  • “Sir, I am going to listen to the instructor, not you. I said it just exactly like that, sir. Yes, I did.” (10:47)
  • The old man shouts contradictory instructions, prompting Jack to repeatedly, and loudly, address him as “Sir!” (10:53, 14:15)
  • Humorous frustrations surface:
    “If you're such a, if you're a freaking Christopher Columbus, go take an advanced sailing class or get out in your boat and circumnavigate the globe or something.” (10:57)
  • Reflection on how people bring up divisive politics in casual settings, linking it to his radio career (13:10).

5. News Updates & Headlines (with Katie Green)

Jack and Katie run through the day’s hot stories with infotainment, skepticism, and good-humored banter:

• Russia/Ukraine:
  • Russian official denies targeting civilian sites, despite widespread reports to the contrary (06:27–06:47).
• Trump’s National Guard Move:
  • Democrats, especially in cities like Chicago, are pushing back on Trump’s call to federalize National Guard involvement in multiple cities (15:38).
• ICE Detention:
  • Focus on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, alleged MS-13 human trafficker and legal confusion over his custody (15:54).
• Postal Tariffs:
  • Major countries suspend postal service to the U.S. due to expiring tariff exemptions; confusion anticipated for online shoppers (16:51).
• SpaceX Setback:
  • Continuing issues delay Starship’s launch, not just weather but technical/project setbacks (17:03).
• Parasites on U.S. Soil:
  • First case of flesh-eating screwworm parasite in U.S.; Jack and Katie dig into the (gross) details, complete with warnings about symptoms (17:33, 20:54, 21:35).
• “Perfect Salary” & Satire:
  • $74,000 cited as “perfect salary” in surveys, and a Babylon Bee joke about sandcastles and California regulations, to laughs (18:53, 19:16).
• WNBA Prank Gone Wrong:
  • Ten criminal charges for a man who threw a green “marital aid” during a WNBA game, teeing up future comic commentary (34:46).

6. Deeper Dive: Controversies and Conspiracies

• Epstein Death Debate
  • Newly released DOJ interview tapes with Ghislaine Maxwell revive speculation that Jeffrey Epstein didn’t die by suicide (27:28–30:25).
  • Only 16% of Americans now believe Epstein killed himself, major shift in public opinion (29:23):

    “Wow. Only 16% believe he killed himself.” (29:33)

  • Jack and Katie review suspicious circumstances: missing camera footage, guards asleep, etc. (“Be quiet—yeah, come on.” 30:23)
• Bill Maher’s D.C. Coup Fears
  • Bill Maher worries Trump’s National Guard deployments in D.C. could enable a smoother coup if a disputed election occurs (24:53, 25:26).
  • Jack scrutinizes this argument, suggesting the Chicago deployment actually undercuts the “coup” narrative.

7. Healthcare & Ozempic Economics

Jack analyzes reports indicating insurance coverage for weight loss drugs like Ozempic may soon “make economic sense,” predicting widespread future use (36:55).

• Potential major cost savings for insurance companies due to reductions in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

8. Gags, Callbacks & Audience Engagement

• Jack repeatedly references the “sir!” confrontation with the old sailor as a running gag (10:47, 14:15, 33:21).
• Offers a light-hearted, irreverent take on daily issues, from parasite scares to government secrecy.
• Promotes Armstrong & Getty On Demand as a resource for catching missed content.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On National Guard Urban Policing:
  “I'm pretty certain they don't get a lot of training in urban crime arrests...there's an opportunity for something to go horribly wrong.” (01:20, Jack)

• On Presidential Power and Pentagon:
  “The President being stopped by, call it the deep state...it's an ongoing problem, has been around for, well, more than a half century.” (04:00, Jack)

• Sailing Class Humor:
  “Sir, I am going to listen to the instructor, not you.” (10:47, Jack)
  “He couldn't hear the instructions...but he would constantly tell me what to do...I actually yelled sir. Like that. Just exactly like that.” (10:57)

• On the joys of bantering with opinionated strangers:
  “People want to engage in the most divisive stories in all of politics in casual settings. I don't freaking get that at all.” (13:10, Jack)

• Epstein Death Skepticism:
  “Only 16% believe he killed himself...Wow. So Joe and I have been in the tiny minority all along.” (29:33, Jack)

• Flesh-eating Parasite Segment:
  “If you have a wound that shows up out of nowhere, won’t heal, and you see maggots are involved—perhaps you want to contact your doctor.” (21:51, Jack)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:14 – Show opens, “pregnant with possibilities” for the new week
• 01:00–04:10 – National Guard and Chicago troop discussions
• 03:22–03:35 – Russia/Ukraine war update and Pentagon/White House conflict
• 10:47–14:15 – Sailing class fiasco, “sir!” story
• 15:12–19:43 – Katie Green’s news and headline roundup
• 17:33, 20:54, 21:35 – Flesh-eating screwworm parasite story (Maryland case)
• 24:53–25:26 – Bill Maher quote, coup fears, and political analysis
• 27:28–30:25 – Epstein/Maxwell DOJ tapes, conspiracy polling
• 34:46 – WNBA “marital aid” prank, charges pending
• 36:55 – Postal delivery/tariff discussion, Ozempic and insurance economics

Episode Tone & Language

Jack Armstrong maintains an offbeat, satirical, and conversational tone, blending headline seriousness with personal stories and pointed irreverence. Katie Green provides wry banter and quick news updates, and the episode moves fluidly between political analysis, personal anecdotes, and news satire.

In Sum:
This episode delivers a broad survey of current headlines, spirited and skeptical commentary on hot-button public policy and politics, and signature Armstrong storytelling—anchored by a sailing class squabble that gave the episode its title and running joke. The blend of serious analysis and unserious asides make it classic Armstrong & Getty, engaging new and veteran listeners alike.