Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "You've Never Been Drunk In A Bowling Alley!?" – January 30, 2025

In this lively episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty dive into a whirlwind of topics ranging from political scandals and scientific breakthroughs to societal issues and humorous anecdotes. Broadcasting from the Abraham Lincoln radio studio, the duo delivers their characteristic blend of sharp commentary and engaging banter. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and conclusions of this episode.

1. Opening Banter and Political Scandals

[00:11 - 02:25]

The episode kicks off with Jack Armstrong humorously recounting a past incident involving their general manager, Pete Hegseth, who was allegedly drunk at work 15 years ago. This leads to a broader conversation about public figures and their personal struggles. Joe Getty contrasts Pete’s once-overindulgent behavior with RFK Jr.'s long-term battle with heroin addiction, highlighting the disparity in public and media responses to different types of personal failings.

• Joe Getty: "How did that get so much attention to the fact that RFK Jr. was a heroin addict for 14 years?" [00:59]

• Jack Armstrong: "Pete was drunk once. He had one too many chardonnays. Oh, no. He can't work in the government. What the hell, people?" [01:07]

This segment underscores their frustration with selective outrage and the inconsistent treatment of public figures’ personal issues.

2. Origins of Life: Science vs. Faith

[03:23 - 06:07]

The hosts transition to a fascinating discussion on the recent scientific discovery suggesting that life on Earth may have originated from organic matter found on a meteorite. This revelation challenges long-standing theories and sparks a debate between scientific explanations and faith-based beliefs.

• Joe Getty: "They found some organic matter on a meteorite... that might be how the whole thing started. That is just unbelievable." [03:23]

• Jack Armstrong: "It was the hand of God that decided there should be life on Earth." [04:07]

Joe Getty and Jack Armstrong explore the implications of this discovery, with Armstrong asserting a creationist viewpoint, while Getty ponders the mathematical improbabilities of intelligent life existing elsewhere.

• Jack Armstrong: "If you believe in the Almighty, that is the mechanism by which God Almighty did it." [04:28]

3. Political Corruption and Accountability

[06:07 - 10:00]

The conversation shifts to political corruption, focusing on the sentencing of Senator Menendez for his extensive misuse of funds. The hosts express disdain for Menendez’s emotional plea in court, criticizing his lack of accountability.

• Joe Getty: "He cries in the courtroom, begging for a lower sentence. I've suffered enough, he says... why don't more people have the cojones to sit there and say... Sorry I got caught." [06:52]

Furthermore, Armstrong and Getty discuss the pervasive influence of lobbying in Washington D.C., particularly highlighting the sugar industry's substantial financial contributions to influence policies.

• Jack Armstrong: "They've spent $145 million on lobbying." [09:04]

They draw parallels between corporate lobbying and selective law enforcement, suggesting that both are tools used to maintain systemic corruption.

4. Store Security and Crime Rates

[10:00 - 22:52]

A significant portion of the episode tackles the issue of escalating crime rates and the consequent rise in store security measures. The hosts critique CVS's new pilot program requiring customers to use an app to access security cabinets, mocking the inconvenience it causes shoppers.

• Joe Getty: "That's a pretty funny joke... it's as if no one works there." [17:04]

Armstrong humorously imagines running a drugstore chain with aggressive security, only to highlight the impracticality and high costs associated with such measures.

• Jack Armstrong: "If Joe's Nationwide Drugstores... stealing equals ass whoopings." [21:21]

They lament the societal shift towards over-policing minor thefts and the reluctance to address underlying issues such as poverty and systemic failures.

5. Military Diversity vs. Unity

[10:34 - 16:45]

Katie Green, a recurring segment, shares a provocative statement from the Pentagon rejecting diversity in favor of unity and shared purpose.

• Katie Green: "One of the dumbest phrases in military history is 'Our diversity is our strength.' Our diversity is not our strength. Our unity and our shared purpose is our strength." [10:34]

Armstrong and Getty critique this stance, arguing that diversity remains a valuable asset and that unity does not necessitate the exclusion of diverse backgrounds.

• Jack Armstrong: "Diversity is fine. It's interesting. But no. Unity is utterly indispensable." [11:20]

6. Major News Highlights

[12:11 - 35:34]

The hosts provide comprehensive coverage of several major news stories:

• Helicopter and Plane Crash: An American Eagle jet collides with a Blackhawk helicopter near Reagan Airport, resulting in 60 fatalities. They discuss the rarity and tragedy of such accidents.

  • Jack Armstrong: "Terrible, terrible tragedy and incredibly rare, thankfully." [12:37]

• RFK Jr. Hearings: Ongoing Senate hearings on RFK Jr.'s nomination face scrutiny, with discussions on his controversial statements and potential confirmation outcomes.

  • Katie Green: "Three contentious Trump nominees will appear before the Senate today." [29:16]

  • Jack Armstrong: "Kennedy barely gets through. Tulsi. No way. 3rd and I'll break that down later." [29:16]

• Educational Proficiency Scores: Post-pandemic data reveals alarming declines in student proficiency in reading and math, echoing concerns about the long-term impacts of prolonged school closures.

  • Joe Getty: "Kids are not catching up from COVID... only a third of the kids can read and do math at the very low level." [26:53]

• Meta Settles with Trump: Meta agrees to pay Trump $25 million in a lawsuit over the suspension of his Facebook and Instagram accounts, a move the hosts view as inconsequential for the tech giant.

  • Katie Green: "Meta agrees to pay Trump $25 million to settle lawsuit over Facebook and Instagram suspension." [31:18]

• AI in Advertising: Hollywood Reporter highlights the rise of AI-generated commercials, which the hosts find both amusing and eerie.

  • Katie Green: "AI commercials are going to take over the Super Bowl this year." [32:26]

• Social Trends: According to the New York Post, there is a declining interest in sex among American young men, a trend the hosts find perplexing and indicative of deeper societal issues.

  • Katie Green: "Americans are saying no to sex like never before, with young men leading the depressing trend." [33:16]

7. Listener Mail and Interactions

[14:27 - 17:15]

Armstrong and Getty engage with listener mail, sharing heartfelt messages and addressing humorous misconceptions about "dad jokes."

• Listener Message: Congratulations to listener Brian on his 40th birthday, highlighting the personal connections fostered by the show.

  • Jack Armstrong: "She's a daily listener too. Keep it up for all of us living in the progressive Portland bubble." [14:58]

• Dad Jokes Debate: A discussion ensues over the definition of "dad jokes," with Armstrong defending them as family-friendly rather than inherently "dumb."

  • Joe Getty: "Dad joke means dumb joke. But at least the way that's my, my kids seem to present it." [16:21]

8. Humorous Segments and Memes

[34:01 - 35:34]

The episode concludes with light-hearted segments, including memes and humorous takes on current events.

• Meme of the Day: A picture of Trump dressed as a mobster standing in front of the border wall, accompanied by the sign "F. A F."

  • Katie Green: "My meme of the day... Trump posted it." [34:01]

• Babylon Bee Satire: A satirical headline about single men dressing as illegal immigrants to catch the attention of Christie Noem.

  • Katie Green: "Single men begin dressing as illegal immigrants, hoping Christie Noem will detain them." [34:50]

9. Closing Remarks

[35:34]

The hosts wrap up the episode with final thoughts on the discussed topics, encouraging listeners to stay informed and engaged.

• Jack Armstrong: "Armstrong and Gettysburg." [35:34]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joe Getty: "How did that get so much attention to the fact that RFK Jr. was a heroin addict for 14 years?" [00:59]

• Jack Armstrong: "Pete was drunk once. He had one too many chardonnays. Oh, no. He can't work in the government. What the hell, people?" [01:07]

• Joe Getty: "They found some organic matter on a meteorite... that might be how the whole thing started. That is just unbelievable." [03:23]

• Jack Armstrong: "It was the hand of God that decided there should be life on Earth." [04:07]

• Joe Getty: "He cries in the courtroom, begging for a lower sentence. I've suffered enough, he says..." [06:52]

• Jack Armstrong: "They've spent $145 million on lobbying." [09:04]

• Katie Green: "One of the dumbest phrases in military history is 'Our diversity is our strength.' Our diversity is not our strength." [10:34]

• Joe Getty: "Kids are not catching up from COVID... only a third of the kids can read and do math at the very low level." [26:53]

• Katie Green: "Americans are saying no to sex like never before, with young men leading the depressing trend." [33:16]

Conclusion

This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand encapsulates the dynamic interplay between current events, personal anecdotes, and societal critiques. Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty adeptly navigate complex topics, providing listeners with both informative content and entertaining commentary. Whether dissecting political scandals, debating the origins of life, or humorously addressing everyday issues, the hosts maintain a captivating and thought-provoking dialogue that resonates with their audience.