Armstrong & Getty On Demand – “They’re Bent”
Date: August 22, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast Theme: Candid, irreverent conversation about the news—politics, culture, education, security, and more, with personal anecdotes and pointed opinions.
Episode Overview
In this episode, Jack and Joe tackle a range of news stories and social trends with their trademark bluntness and humor. From offshore betting on kids' sports to shifting NFL cheerleader norms, from deep dives into the Ukraine/Russia conflict and U.S. “lawfare,” to AI’s impact on classroom integrity, they navigate current events with skepticism and eye-rolling laughter. They also discuss a Navy espionage case and lament the state of political discourse, government overreach, and “woke” media.
Key Discussion Topics & Insights
1. Offshore Betting on Little League Games
[02:49-03:54]
- A report reveals that overseas betting (like BetOnline in Panama) on Little League World Series has doubled and now exceeds wagers on WNBA, tennis, and soccer matches.
- Quote:
“That’s not a good look for soccer or the WNBA that there are more people betting on Little League baseball…” — Jack [03:18] - Jack and Joe are disturbed by the possibility of game-fixing involving kids.
- Joe: “Where there is sports betting, there is an effort to fix it. … those two things coexist 100%.” [03:54]
- Quote:
2. Male and ‘Effeminate’ NFL Cheerleaders: Culture Clash
[04:00-08:51]
- Jack expresses surprise that NFL teams now feature effeminate male cheerleaders dressing as women, reflecting on changing norms versus fan expectations.
- Questions the intent: “Who’s that for?” — Jack [04:48]
- Joe calls it another example of “woke DEI stuff” persisting in media and sports.
- “The march forward in education and media and sports… they seem to bend over backward to be enlightened and woke.” — Joe [05:17]
- The conversation touches on activist pressure, particularly from groups like the Human Rights Campaign.
- Joe: “That blackmailing outfit… They go to the NFL… say, ‘We want transgender cheerleaders, or we’re going to tell everybody what a homophobic, dangerous…’” [06:43]
- Segment capped with parody (“Bud Light’s Real American Heroes”) lampooning old perceptions of male cheerleaders.
3. Federal Workforce Shrinking – Reaction
[09:30-10:20]
- Jack highlights news that the federal government will lose 300,000 workers by year’s end—a major reduction since WWII.
- “Would be the largest single year reduction since World War II. Obviously the big government crowd is horrified…” — Jack [09:44]
- Joe responds from a taxpayer’s perspective:
- “We’ve been growing it and growing it… we’re drowning in debt… Something’s gotta give.” [10:10]
4. Putin’s Demands in Ukraine – “Peace” is Surrender
[11:34-14:37]
- Reuters reports Putin will only stop the war if Ukraine surrenders the Donbass, stays neutral, and bans Western troops.
- Jack: “In other words, what we’ve been saying… Putin has no interest whatsoever in ending this war.” [12:16]
- Joe references Trump’s tough rhetoric about not letting Ukraine win if it’s only allowed to defend, not attack.
- “Trump saying hey, there’s no defense if you don’t have a good offense.” [13:05]
- They discuss the possibility of U.S. policy shifting to allow Ukraine offensive use of U.S. weapons.
- Joe sums up the situation:
- “Putin’s Ukraine summitry was a big con. …That’s not something Trump is likely to sit back and just take.” [14:01]
5. “Lawfare,” John Bolton’s FBI Raid, and Political Retaliation
[19:33-32:19 and 28:42-32:19]
- News breaks that John Bolton (Trump’s former National Security Advisor) had his home raided by the FBI regarding classified documents.
- Jack: “That’s a big story either way… if it’s legit… or just going after enemies to scare them… Big story.” [19:33]
- Joe suggests Trump may be using the same tactics Democrats have used on him: “Lawfare.”
- “You’re gonna engage in lawfare against me… okay, here’s how it feels. We gonna do this.” [30:19]
- They reflect on the toxic cycle of political retaliation (impeachments, raids) and hope the cycle eventually burns out.
- Jack: “So maybe… we go through a couple of rounds of that. Everybody realizes… you gain nothing… then we stop doing it again.” [31:03]
6. AI and the Disruption of Classroom Integrity
[21:39-24:26]
- Jack chats with a local English teacher about managing student writing in the age of ChatGPT and AI.
- In-class writing is now essential, since take-home assignments can be easily faked.
- Jack describes how students can prompt ChatGPT to write just-barely-passing essays.
- Producer Katie reveals a detective trick: ChatGPT still uses an “extended dash”—a telltale sign in written work. [23:25]
- Quote: “If you ever get something written, you’ll see there’s a longer dash than there should be… that is the indicator that these people are using ChatGPT.” — Katie [23:25]
- Joe and Jack agree that more education must happen live in the classroom; it’s the only way to ensure students’ work is genuine.
7. Navy Espionage Conviction and Media “Wokeness”
[33:13-40:37]
- They discuss the news of a Navy sailor (Jinchao Wei) convicted of spying for China, noting the media’s reluctance to name him or note his ancestry.
- Joe: “As I heard the headline unspooling, I was waiting for the name. Chinese ancestry.” [33:41]
- Jack: “CNN report I saw did not give his name. They gave a drawing, not a picture…” [33:47]
- The hosts critique media for omitting facts out of fear of “racism” accusations, calling it “malpractice” and “woke.”
- They recap the pattern of Chinese intelligence recruiting Chinese-Americans via flattery, blackmail, or threats to family:
- “It might be one of those—China reached out… ‘Your family back home…’” — Jack [35:05]
- Betrayal often motivated by money, flattery, or dissatisfaction, not ideology.
- Joe: “This guy betrayed his country for… $12,000.” [35:11]
- Jack: “It’s often really, really stupid.” [36:30]
- Ultimately, the story ends on the futility and sadness that befalls most traitors.
8. Regulation, Innovation, and ‘Rent-Seeking’ – The Table Saw Story
[47:09-49:43]
- Joe details a WSJ story about a table saw equipped with a safety feature that prevents injuries—but at great expense.
- The manufacturers lobbied to make their technology mandatory, a maneuver Jack compares to tire air pressure monitors.
- Joe calls this “rent-seeking”—using regulation and patents to mandate your product and corner the market for profit, rather than competing.
- “That is rent seeking, that’s petitioning the government instead of competing…” — Joe [49:31]
9. Quick Hits:
- Pub Culture and Gen Z ([50:28-50:38])
- British pub owners are baffled that Gen Z now lines up single file at the bar due to COVID habits—upending centuries-old, crowded “belly up” traditions.
- Friday Night Lights ([44:42-44:53])
- Jack is headed to his son’s high school football game, classic American tradition.
- Border/Prison Projects Blocked by Environmental Review ([45:17-46:38])
- “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration facility must be dismantled after an environmental suit, fueling Jack and Joe’s skepticism about environmental rules as tools for political or legal sabotage.
- “The number one way to shut down any project… is the environmental stuff.” — Jack [46:00]
Notable Quotes
- “Where there is sports betting, there is an effort to fix it… those two things coexist 100%.” — Joe Getty [03:54]
- “Effeminate male cheerleaders—the hell? What the hell is… Who’s that for?” — Jack Armstrong [04:48]
- “It’s still on the march forward in education and media and sports…” — Joe Getty [05:17]
- “I just, I’m just shocked… it just seems like thumb in the eye of your average fan.” — Jack Armstrong [06:13]
- “That blackmailing outfit [Human Rights Campaign]… They go to the NFL… or we’re going to tell everybody what a homophobic, dangerous… You use speech as violence…” — Joe Getty [06:43]
- “300,000 fewer federal workers… largest single year reduction since World War II.” — Jack Armstrong [09:44]
- “If you ever get something written, you’ll see there’s a longer dash than there should be… that is the indicator that these people are using ChatGPT.” — Katie (producer) [23:25]
- “This guy betrayed his country for… $12,000.” — Joe Getty [35:11]
- “CNN report I saw did not give his name. They gave a drawing, not a picture…” — Jack Armstrong [33:47]
- “That is rent seeking. That’s petitioning the government instead of competing and participating in the free market.” — Joe Getty [49:31]
- “Politics isn’t getting any more gratifying.” — Joe Getty [33:13]
Tone & Style
- Conversational: The hosts riff, joke, and occasionally digress; sometimes irreverent, but grounded in opinionated analysis.
- Skeptical: They’re quick to lampoon “woke” trends, bureaucratic overreach, and media omissions.
- Cynical humor: Political fatigue and social absurdity are greeted with sarcasm or mockery.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:49 — Offshore Little League Betting
- 04:00 — NFL Cheerleader Culture Shift
- 09:30 — Federal Workforce Cuts
- 11:34 — Putin’s Demands/Zelensky & Ukraine
- 21:39 — AI and Cheating in Classrooms
- 28:42 — Bolton FBI Raid and “Lawfare”
- 33:13 — Navy Spy Case/Media “Wokeness”
- 47:09 — Regulation “Rent-Seeking”
- 50:28 — Gen Z and British Pub Lines
This episode delivers the Armstrong & Getty blend of skepticism, humor, frustration, and insight for listeners craving sharp, unvarnished commentary on the state of America’s politics, media, and culture.