Podcast Summary: Armstrong & Getty On Demand – Episode: “That Freaks Me Out, Man”

Release Date: November 21, 2024

Host: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty

1. Introduction to Current Events

The episode kicks off with hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delving into a myriad of contemporary issues, blending humor with serious analysis. They navigate through topics ranging from pop culture to intricate geopolitical concerns, ensuring a dynamic and engaging discussion for listeners.

**2. “Wicked” Movie Review and Pop Culture Commentary

Discussion on the Movie “Wicked”

Jack and Joe begin by discussing the upcoming release of the movie adaptation of the musical “Wicked,” a reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz.” They express mixed feelings about its reception and potential impact.

• Joe Getty (00:52): Highlights the confusion surrounding movie reviews, humorously noting mismatched critiques.

• Jack Armstrong (02:08): Considers taking the movie to his family, acknowledging differing tastes within his household.

Notable Quote:

• Jack Armstrong (02:22): “Wicked is a reimagining of the wizard of Oz movie. Correct. And it's supposed to be really cool. So I might actually take the kids to that.”

3. War Games Simulation: US vs. China Over Taiwan

Analysis of Recent Pentagon War Games

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the Pentagon's recent war games simulation, which assesses the potential outcome of a conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan. The hosts dissect the findings and their implications.

• Joe Getty (03:01): Introduces the topic by referencing a new report briefing Congress on a hypothetical war scenario.

• Jack Armstrong (29:05): Provides detailed insights into the simulation results, emphasizing the staggering shipbuilding capacity of China compared to the US.

Key Points Discussed:

• Military Readiness: The US is not currently operating at a wartime footing, whereas China’s defense industrial base is.

• Simulation Outcomes: High casualties and significant loss of naval assets on both sides, with China potentially losing 90% of its amphibious fleet.

• Strategic Implications: The necessity for the US to make immediate and decisive commitments in the event of conflict, contrasting with the Ukraine model of gradual escalation.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack Armstrong (30:38): “China has twice the shipbuilding capacity. I'm sorry, 20 times. No, 230 times the shipbuilding capacity of the United States. That is shocking.”

• Joe Getty (33:18): “Yeah, Right, Right. And we can make our own chips eventually. Et cetera, et cetera. Not our issue.”

4. California’s Minimum Wage Referendum

Economic Impacts of Raising Minimum Wage

Jack and Joe transition to discussing California's recent referendum where voters narrowly rejected a proposition to raise the state minimum wage to $18 per hour. They analyze the consequences of this decision on both workers and businesses.

• Joe Getty (04:10): Criticizes government-mandated minimum wages, arguing they harm the economy and job market.

• Jack Armstrong (05:09): Explains the specific carve-out for Panera and its implications on fast food workers.

Key Findings from Employment Policies Institute of California:

• Price Increases: Majority of restaurants raised menu prices by 98% to offset wage hikes.

• Staff Reductions:

  • 89% reduced employee hours.
  • 73% decreased staff numbers.
  • 70% consolidated positions, effectively resulting in layoffs.

• Economic Consequences:

  • Net job loss of approximately 4,400 positions since January.
  • Fast food job growth rate is the worst since the Great Recession.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Getty (07:12): “What percentage of fast food restaurants reduced employee hours? 89%. 89. Limited employee shift to pickup or overtime rules. 73% or just flat reduced staff 70% as the result of the minimum wage law? Wow.”

• Jack Armstrong (11:00): “4,500 people or so now have no job at all. Because of this, many, many thousands have fewer hours and have had to pick up another job.”

5. Political Developments: Matt Gaetz Withdraws from Attorney General Race

Analysis of Matt Gaetz’s Withdrawal

The hosts cover the unexpected withdrawal of Rep. Matt Gaetz from consideration for the Attorney General position, speculating on the reasons behind his exit and its implications for the Trump administration.

• Joe Getty (20:40): Announces Gaetz’s decision to drop out and withdraw his name.

• Jack Armstrong (25:00): Discusses potential behind-the-scenes factors influencing Gaetz's withdrawal, including strong opposition from Republican senators.

Key Insights:

• Senatorial Opposition: Majority of Republican senators opposed Gaetz, making his confirmation unlikely.

• Media Influence: Speculation that continuous negative media coverage played a role in his decision to withdraw.

• Party Dynamics: Gaetz's withdrawal potentially benefits the administration by clearing a controversial candidate from the spotlight.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack Armstrong (25:00): “Rep. Matt Gaetz accompanied VP Elect JD Vance across the Capitol, meeting with Republican senators to win their support for his confirmation… Many senators in both parties have expressed concern over the choice of Mr. Gaetz to lead the Justice Department.”

• Joe Getty (23:23): “I don’t think these Republican senators would have said, hey, I like you, but I’m a no vote. They would have said, I hate you, and there’s no way I’m allowing you to be Attorney General.”

6. Aztec Death Whistle and Historical Insights

Exploration of Aztec Culture and Rituals

In a lighter yet eerie segment, the hosts delve into the history of the Aztecs, focusing on their use of the death whistle during human sacrifice ceremonies. They discuss archaeological findings and psychological impacts of the whistle's sound.

• Jack Armstrong (15:18): Shares his experiences visiting Aztec sites and learning about their sacrificial practices.

• Joe Getty (16:14): Describes psychological experiments conducted with replicas of the death whistle, noting its unsettling effect on listeners.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Getty (16:04): “They would sacrifice, for instance, warriors from other tribes that they conquered, or they could sacrifice their own people to various gods and everything like that.”

• Jack Armstrong (17:13): “Imagine if you had a whole bunch of people blowing that at the same time. Oh, my God.”

7. Final Thoughts and Holiday Reflections

Closing Remarks with Humor and Personal Anecdotes

As the episode nears its end, Jack and Joe share final thoughts, blending humor with personal stories related to the upcoming holiday season. They discuss weight gain during holidays, family gatherings, and lighter aspects of their lives to wrap up the show on a relatable note.

• Joe Getty (37:28): Talks about his experience at a Bourbon Appreciation Society dinner and his humorous take on indulging in desserts.

• Jack Armstrong (37:12): Reflects on setting personal boundaries to manage weight during the holidays.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Getty (36:22): “As a final thought, Katie, I'm gonna get my hands on one of those Aztec death whistles and just blow it whenever somebody's bothering me.”

• Jack Armstrong (37:29): “Armstrong and Getty wrapping up another grueling four-hour workday.”

8. Conclusion

Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty effectively blend serious analysis of economic policies and geopolitical threats with lighthearted commentary on pop culture and personal anecdotes. Their candid discussions provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of current events, balanced with humor and relatable experiences.

Final Notable Quote:

• Jack Armstrong (38:31): “This feels like a red alert moment for democracy.”

End of Summary

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and are for reference purposes only.