Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: What Is It With Murderous Idiots?!
Date: April 8, 2026
Host: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Armstrong and Getty blend sharp commentary with incredulity and humor as they tackle three major themes:

1. The Crisis in American Public Education: A scathing critique of declining academic standards, educational policy missteps, and the shift from academics to activism in government schools.
2. “Murderous Idiots” and True Crime Mysteries: The bizarre and tragically predictable patterns among murder cases involving the not-so-brilliant perpetrators.
3. Iran, Trump, and Global Geopolitics: Dissecting the uncertainty and spin surrounding a supposed ceasefire negotiation between the US and Iran, as well as the geopolitical consequences for the world.

Light moments touch on viral fast food videos and McDonald’s economic strategies, but the episode largely maintains a tone of frustration laced with biting wit.

1. The American Public School Crisis

(Timestamps: 00:27 – 13:09)

Key Discussion Points

• San Francisco’s Algebra Reversal

  • San Francisco's school board reverses a 10-year-old “equity” policy that eliminated 8th-grade algebra, restoring the course after disastrous declines in math proficiency.
  • “[The policy] tried to achieve equity not by raising the floor, but by lowering the ceiling. It’s a problem we see nationally, just horrible.” — A [02:59]
  • Black student math proficiency dropped from 11% to 4% during the policy's implementation.

• Grades vs. Learning

  • Armstrong & Getty warn that grades and school reports often mask a child's true academic standing.
  • “You may be in the ruby reddest town in America. There is an island of deep blue in your town. It is your government schools. Trust me on this.” — A [10:37]

• Shift to Activism in Schools

  • Schools are accused of indoctrinating students and veering from their primary mission. Kids are increasingly being trained as activists rather than taught to think critically.
  • “Instead of reading, math, science, and history, [students receive] lessons centered on activism, grievance, and personal political identity. This isn’t preparing students for success. It’s distracting them from the very education they desperately need.” — A [04:54]

• Results & Spending

  • Test scores are the worst in decades; 33% of 8th graders and 40% of 4th graders read below basic levels.
  • Spending per student has increased ($16,000+/student), with little to no educational improvement.
  • “We didn’t get jack spit out of that money… The biggest crisis the US faces is the indoctrination and lack of education of our children. China as a threat pales next to it.” — A citing Michael Petrelli [11:34], [12:15]

• Parental Awareness

  • COVID-19 revealed the extent of these problems to many unwitting parents.
  • “You cannot at all assume your kid is learning basic reading, writing, and arithmetic or that their grade means anything.” — B [10:10]

2. “What Is It With Murderous Idiots?!” — True Crime Frustrations

(Timestamps: 13:10 – 16:54)

Key Discussion Points

• The Bahamas Boat Mystery

  • Discussion of the high-profile case: a Michigan woman, Lynette Hooker, disappears during a boat trip with her husband, who returns with a story that immediately arouses suspicion.
  • Noted the husband's suspicious behavior: returning late, wife allegedly fell overboard with the boat key, daughter’s comment on their turbulent history and previous threats from the husband.

• Predictability of Murderous Motives & Mishaps

  • “What is it with the murderous idiots?” — B [15:33]
  • Both hosts incredulous at the stupidity of murderers who think their feeble alibis (a la Dateline and 20/20) will work.
  • “These idiot murderers... Takes her out in a boat and she disappears, and he thinks that that's gonna work.” — B [15:01]
  • Armstrong gently addresses anyone even vaguely tempted: “You will get caught. You will be in a cage for the rest of your life. Just take the other choice, no matter how painful—divorce, lawsuit, whatever.” — A [16:10]

3. Iran, Trump, and the Murky Ceasefire

(Timestamps: 17:11 – 31:56)

Key Discussion Points

• Alleged Ceasefire: Who Won? What’s Real?

  • Confusion reigns over details: Both Trump and Iranian officials declare victory; the Strait of Hormuz is reopening but under Iranian supervision.
  • “There are many unanswered questions about what’s actually been agreed and achieved.” — A [17:11]
  • Trump suggests a new toll system for ships through the strait, even mentioning a “joint venture” with Iran: “We’re thinking of doing this as a joint venture. It’s a way of securing it, also securing it from lots of other people. It’s a beautiful thing.” — A quoting Trump [22:52]
  • Getty’s scorn: “If that is the result, Trump will be impeached, and he should be.” — A [22:52]

• Skepticism & Media Spin

  • Iranian and US versions of the ceasefire disagree fundamentally over key issues like uranium and the nuclear program.
  • “They haven’t ceased firing, is my objection.” — A [26:42]
  • Worldwide markets and some media sources express guarded relief, but hosts note nothing substantive may have changed yet.

• Who's Really in Charge in Iran?

  • Power may be in flux following the deaths or incapacitation of key Iranian leaders in the recent conflict.
  • “They are dealing with somebody that's nominally in charge right now. They can't say it out loud because they're trying to figure out how to consolidate power and deal with the people that want them dead.” — B [30:48]
  • Theorizing about “businessmen vs. religious fanatics” vying for Iran’s future leadership.

• Notable Quotes

  • “Operation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield. A capital V military victory by any measure…” — Pete Hegseth [29:36]
  • “The only way a state can survive is if it has a monopoly on violence.” — B, attributing the concept [31:44]

4. Viral McDonald’s Video & K-Shaped Economy

(Timestamps: 32:02 – 35:18)

Notable Segment

• Humor Break: The $83 McDonald's Order
  • Viral story: ordering 11 Big Breakfasts and an Egg McMuffin for a large family.
  • Commentary on how McDonald’s caters to both the newly affluent and price-sensitive, with a “K-shaped menu”.
  • Product talk: McSpicy Wings, Big Arch sandwiches, and evolving consumer tastes.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Educational Policy
  • “They tried to achieve equity not by raising the floor, but by lowering the ceiling. It’s a problem we see nationally, just horrible.” — A [02:59]
• On True Crime’s Predictability
  • “What is it with the murderous idiots?” — B [15:33]
• On US-Iran Ceasefire Spin
  • "If that is the result, Trump will be impeached, and he should be." — A [22:52]
  • “They haven’t ceased firing, is my objection.” — A [26:42]
• On the Decline of School Quality
  • “You cannot at all assume your kid is learning basic reading, writing, and arithmetic or that their grade means anything.” — B [10:10]

Major Segment Timestamps

• 00:27 – 13:09 — American Education Crisis & Activism in Schools
• 13:10 – 16:54 — Bahamian Murder Case & "Murderous Idiots"
• 17:11 – 31:56 — Iran Ceasefire, Geopolitical Uncertainty, and Media Skepticism
• 32:02 – 35:18 — McDonald's Viral Video & Economic Trends

Tone & Style

• Direct, irreverent, and often incredulous; a blend of sincere concern, sarcasm, and black humor.
• Willing to challenge both left and right, with pointed critiques and exasperated asides.

For listeners new to Armstrong & Getty, this episode offers a microcosm of their style: skeptical, unsparing, and always ready to cut through headline spin—whether analyzing education policy failure, unraveling true crime idiocy, or dissecting international affairs.