Armstrong & Getty On Demand: Episode Summary – "Stay Tuned To Be Horrified!"

Release Date: January 8, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

In the "Stay Tuned To Be Horrified!" episode of the Armstrong & Getty On Demand podcast, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into a myriad of pressing political and social issues with their characteristic blend of humor and incisive commentary. The episode covers topics ranging from geopolitical maneuvers in Greenland to the state of American education, the declining approval ratings of President Joe Biden, and catastrophic wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Below is a detailed breakdown of the episode’s key discussions, insights, and conclusions.

1. The Greenland Conundrum: Potential U.S. Acquisition

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion about the growing talk surrounding Greenland and the speculative notion of the United States acquiring it. Joe Getty initiates the conversation by highlighting the recent frenzy over Greenland, comparing it to historical land purchases:

Joe Getty [00:23]: "Whether just buying it outright. I mean, if anyone think that's bonkers, it's like, well, we'll remember the Louisiana Purchase. I think Alaska was pretty, a pretty great deal to $50 million."

Jack Armstrong interjects with a humorous twist, imagining a swift U.S. annexation:

Jack Armstrong [06:26]: "57,000 people. We could take it in a day."

The hosts explore Greenland's strategic importance, particularly its proximity to vital Arctic waterways that are becoming increasingly accessible due to climate change. They express concern over Denmark's control and the potential for other global powers like China and Russia to exert influence in the region. Armstrong underscores the necessity for the U.S. to maintain a significant presence in Greenland to safeguard free trade routes:

Jack Armstrong [04:13]: "Greenland's incredibly important... if we're in charge of that, we need a serious say and we need a serious presence in Greenland."

Despite its current sparse population of approximately 57,000, the duo anticipates Greenland's rising geopolitical significance in the coming decades.

2. Political Profiles: John Fetterman as a Moderate Democrat

Shifting focus to American politics, the hosts discuss Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, portraying him as a notably reasonable and moderate figure within the Democratic Party. Jack Armstrong observes a marked transformation in Fetterman's demeanor, potentially influenced by personal health challenges:

Jack Armstrong [02:17]: "He strikes me as a very, very different dude. He is now the most utterly reasonable moderate Democrat in a lot of ways that I've seen on Capitol Hill in a long time."

Katie Green adds context by referencing Fetterman's background and previous portrayal in the media as a "socialist" without mainstream political positions. This contrast sets up Fetterman as a potential stabilizing figure against more extreme elements within the party.

3. Foreign Policy and National Security Concerns

The conversation transitions to broader foreign policy issues, particularly focusing on Iran's nuclear capabilities and the United States' role in ensuring global security. The hosts express apprehension about Iran's rapid enrichment of uranium, narrowing the breakout time for potential nuclear weapons:

Katie Green [09:09]: "The fact that Iran is closer to a bomb than they have ever been... Trump has hinted that he's willing to help on that project."

Jack Armstrong echoes these concerns, emphasizing Iran as a "frightened, cornered beast," making it highly dangerous:

Jack Armstrong [10:35]: "Iran is a frightened, cornered beast right now... When a beast is most dangerous."

Additionally, the hosts touch upon the geopolitical significance of Greenland in the context of U.S. strategy against China and Russia, advocating for a robust American presence to counterbalance other global powers' influence.

4. Education Crisis: Radical Gender Theory in Schools

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing the implementation of what the hosts term "radical gender theory" in American schools. Referencing a report by the Heritage Foundation co-authored by Jack Armstrong, the hosts assert that:

Jack Armstrong [20:16]: "We found that the health frameworks of 16 states contain the pseudoscientific belief that biological is entirely divorced from gender... It amounts to roughly 37% of American students."

Katie Green vehemently condemns this trend, urging parents to withdraw their children from such educational environments:

Katie Green [21:32]: "Pull your kid out of that school if that's what they're learning. God, that is horrible."

The discussion highlights specific state mandates, such as Connecticut requiring students to define terms like "cisgender" and "transgender," and California mandating that even kindergarteners identify as transgender. The hosts argue that these educational policies are not only inappropriate for young children but also detract from essential academic competencies like mathematics and reading.

5. Presidential Approval: Gallup Polls on Joe Biden

Turning to domestic politics, Armstrong and Getty scrutinize recent Gallup poll results indicating President Joe Biden's plummeting approval ratings:

Katie Green [31:44]: "Only 6% of adults responded that history would remember Biden as an outstanding president. He’s down in Nixon territory to start with."

Jack Armstrong compares Biden unfavorably to former presidents, noting that Biden ranks near the bottom in Gallup's historical comparisons:

Jack Armstrong [33:23]: "For Biden, he was an awful president. Awful on virtually every single topic."

Katie Green further elaborates on the polling data, revealing that Biden holds a net negative rating of -35, trailing only Richard Nixon at -42. In contrast, Donald Trump's first-term approval stands at -31, significantly better than Biden's standing.

6. Wildfire Catastrophe in Los Angeles

The hosts provide a somber update on the devastating wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area, describing extensive property loss and ongoing dangers:

Katie Green [25:26]: "As you drive down PCH, you couldn't even see the water because they were home after home after home. They're gone."

Jack Armstrong expresses concern over the uncontained fires, exacerbated by relentless high winds:

Jack Armstrong [26:28]: "They’re still all 0% contained at this point. Howling winds all day today again. Oh, a nightmare."

The discussion underscores the immediate human and infrastructural toll of the wildfires, with thousands of structures destroyed and two confirmed fatalities. The hosts empathize with those displaced and affected, highlighting the severity of the natural disaster.

7. Legal Scrutiny and Media Bias: Allegations of Lawfare Against Trump

Addressing ongoing legal battles faced by Donald Trump, the hosts critique media narratives and suggest possible judicial overreach orchestrated to tarnish Trump’s reputation. Referencing Mark Halperin’s comments, Armstrong and Getty discuss the timing and nature of legal actions against Trump, insinuating coordinated efforts to impact his political aspirations:

Jack Armstrong [29:11]: "These alleged crimes so fresh they were sushi grade... they all came down to an election year."

Katie Green reinforces this viewpoint by questioning the fairness and motivations behind the legal proceedings:

Katie Green [29:43]: "I don’t understand how more people don’t get it... Is this the way we want it to be going forward?"

The hosts argue that such legal maneuvers represent a broader pattern of partisan lawfare aimed at undermining Trump's potential presidency.

8. Presidential Legacy and Future Prospects

Concluding the episode, Armstrong and Getty reflect on the legacies of past presidents, emphasizing how public perception evolves over time. They contrast the high approval ratings of figures like John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan with the current disfavor surrounding Biden and Trump. The discussion suggests that historical legacies are significantly influenced by the length and circumstances of a president's tenure.

Closing Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Armstrong and Getty maintain a critical stance on current political developments, advocating for informed and proactive engagement with pressing national and global issues. Their blend of humor and serious analysis provides listeners with a comprehensive and thought-provoking overview of the episode's main topics.

For those interested in the full discourse and additional segments, subscribing to the "Armstrong & Getty On Demand" podcast is recommended to access all four hours of content.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Getty [00:23]: "I think Alaska was pretty, a pretty great deal to $50 million."
• Katie Green [22:41]: "Pull your kid out of that school if that's what they're learning."
• Jack Armstrong [04:13]: "Greenland's incredibly important... we need a serious presence in Greenland."
• Katie Green [31:44]: "Only 6% of adults responded that history would remember Biden as an outstanding president."
• Jack Armstrong [33:23]: "For Biden, he was an awful president. Awful on virtually every single topic."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the multifaceted discussions of the "Stay Tuned To Be Horrified!" episode, providing listeners with valuable insights into the hosts' perspectives on pivotal issues shaping the contemporary political landscape.