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gab13by13

(31,597 posts)
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 10:49 PM 4 hrs ago

The Schumer/Jeffries Softening On Masks

Got me to thinking. We have had a lot of debates here regarding moderates v progressives, some people still have scars.

I don't think it's a moderate v progressive issue here. I say hey Chuck, have Chris Murphy help you negotiate. Hey Hakeem have Jason Crow help you negotiate.

Murphy and Crow aren't far left progressives, but they do have courage.

No fucking masks and make them wear identifiable uniforms with name tags. That's not asking a whole hell of a lot. FFS.

48 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Schumer/Jeffries Softening On Masks (Original Post) gab13by13 4 hrs ago OP
This isn't even a negotiation leftstreet 4 hrs ago #1
Here's the deal, gab13by13 4 hrs ago #6
i think a lot more ppl r sick of the 'moderates' than the 'radicals'. mopinko 4 hrs ago #13
You couldn't be more right FoxNewsSucks 3 hrs ago #32
I think Dante's lowest circle of hell is for moderates. ananda 3 hrs ago #36
Would they? Cirsium 2 hrs ago #42
Exactly Cirsium 2 hrs ago #41
I'd start with dismantling DHS tishaLA 2 hrs ago #44
K&R spanone 4 hrs ago #2
We should be saying, "You guarantee there'll be no more murders, kidnappings, illegal entries, Scrivener7 4 hrs ago #3
Democrats should have Congressional Magats by the short hairs. gab13by13 4 hrs ago #12
Me too. Again. Scrivener7 4 hrs ago #15
no masks wear a badge creon 4 hrs ago #4
Some of their uniforms only say POLICE, gab13by13 4 hrs ago #8
Who is giving them such horrible advice? Chasstev365 4 hrs ago #5
I don't want any softening on this. Takket 4 hrs ago #7
dumb ass david axelrod is warning mopinko 4 hrs ago #9
F Axelrod. We don't need ICE like we need a police force. mzmolly 4 hrs ago #11
personally, i understood it. mopinko 4 hrs ago #20
I understood it, too. But it had to be explained as you note. mzmolly 4 hrs ago #23
The Democrats are using the same playbook AZProgressive 3 hrs ago #27
And at the same time, Steve Bannon is saying ICE mzmolly 3 hrs ago #28
It's OK for protesters to hold up signs that say Abolish ICE gab13by13 4 hrs ago #19
Good plan!! mzmolly 3 hrs ago #30
I agree with your take on this thread AZJonnie 1 min ago #48
Effn weak leadership vapor2 4 hrs ago #10
The article that started the hysteria that led to more Democratic bashing *literally* included Murphy. W_HAMILTON 4 hrs ago #14
I'm waving my ABOLISH SCHUMER protest sign in front of the computer, muttering personal insults at Democrats, betsuni 2 hrs ago #39
Yeah, I asked WHY The OP in That Thread Left OUT THIS PART? Cha 1 hr ago #47
K&R red dog 1 4 hrs ago #16
Elect more moderates this year so we can have more of this! DJ Synikus Makisimus 4 hrs ago #17
I absolutely hate this EnergizedLib 4 hrs ago #18
Yeah, and I'm so sick of my vote being taken for granted. FoxNewsSucks 3 hrs ago #33
The so-called leadership is worse than useless. dalton99a 2 hrs ago #40
OUT WITH THE SECRET POLICE PARAMILITARY GARB. usonian 4 hrs ago #21
Masks are used to TERRORIZE. no masks!!! IcyPeas 4 hrs ago #22
I'm unsure I agree with the headlines on this. mzmolly 3 hrs ago #24
There is no "softening on masks". FascismIsDeath 3 hrs ago #25
I think the masks are unfortunately necessary gulliver 3 hrs ago #26
Why should ICE be permitted masks thucythucy 3 hrs ago #31
They are being targeted in an organized way gulliver 3 hrs ago #35
Law enforcement has always been a relatively risky profession. thucythucy 2 hrs ago #37
WTF?????????????? FoxNewsSucks 3 hrs ago #34
How about we also demand, before any money is approved, thucythucy 3 hrs ago #29
Real negotiations would start with disarming ICEholes Hassler 2 hrs ago #38
Damn Cirsium 2 hrs ago #43
trump is wasting huge amounts of tax payer money for his own powerr and enjoyment. C Moon 1 hr ago #45
I can't believe that people are discussing negotiating with the fascists! ! Bread and Circuses 1 hr ago #46

leftstreet

(39,441 posts)
1. This isn't even a negotiation
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 10:52 PM
4 hrs ago

To negotiate you start with ABOLISH ICE

Then the other sides say OMG no - how about we'll remove masks

Then your side says...

etc.

What a joke

gab13by13

(31,597 posts)
6. Here's the deal,
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:01 PM
4 hrs ago

Democrats will get pummeled if they say abolish ICE, there's another way.

DHS funding expires Feb. 13th, if Democrats were to just demand that the Gestapo goons must follow the law, such as having local and state police be allowed to investigate the Good/Pretti killings and any other shootings, with full access to evidence collected by the Feds, guess what, Congressional Magats will not agree to that. Then let the funding expire and blame Magats for not agreeing to reasonable rules.

Democrats have the upper hand here if they stay strong, but Schumer and Jeffries are off to an awful start.

mopinko

(73,402 posts)
13. i think a lot more ppl r sick of the 'moderates' than the 'radicals'.
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:11 PM
4 hrs ago

ppl want to fight. if there’s no 1 w any fire, they’ll stay home.

FoxNewsSucks

(11,537 posts)
32. You couldn't be more right
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:58 PM
3 hrs ago

Fuck these cowardly republican-appeasing "moderates".

It's too late for that.

ananda

(34,580 posts)
36. I think Dante's lowest circle of hell is for moderates.
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 12:10 AM
3 hrs ago

I've thought this for a long time.

Cirsium

(3,614 posts)
41. Exactly
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 01:07 AM
2 hrs ago

You never start negotiations with the very least that you would settle for. That's what I say. But who am I? They are playing a game that is so sophisticated and so far above our meager understanding that we cannot even begin to fathom just what the hell it is that they are doing. I'm sure it will all work out great. It's been good so far, hasn't it?

tishaLA

(14,751 posts)
44. I'd start with dismantling DHS
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 01:17 AM
2 hrs ago

It was created in the wake of 9/11 but it's a behemoth with too much power and too little oversight. If we break it up, not funding DHS is no longer related to things like FEMA

Scrivener7

(58,823 posts)
3. We should be saying, "You guarantee there'll be no more murders, kidnappings, illegal entries,
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 10:54 PM
4 hrs ago

assaults on protestors, terrorizing of children, and then we can talk. Till then, you better not be asking us for anything."

Instead, while they're pulling that shit and making no plans to stop, we're going to get into a conversation on when masks are acceptable?

What is wrong with those people?

gab13by13

(31,597 posts)
12. Democrats should have Congressional Magats by the short hairs.
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:10 PM
4 hrs ago

Make the Gestapo get court warrants before busting into private property.
Allow local and state police to investigate the Good/Pretti killings. Investigate every time a Gestapo goon fires his weapon, regular police get investigated.
Demand that local politicians, lawyers, the members of the MSM, clergy, be allowed in concentration camps.

Schumer and Jeffries, come up with a list of those demands and then get your people united to not vote for funding until those demands are met.

I feel that Democrats are going to steal defeat from the jaws of victory.

creon

(2,028 posts)
4. no masks wear a badge
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 10:54 PM
4 hrs ago

ICE does not wear a mask
wears a visible badge with serial number.
and a visible name plate.

gab13by13

(31,597 posts)
8. Some of their uniforms only say POLICE,
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:03 PM
4 hrs ago

that isn't enough, doesn't identify who they work for.

Chasstev365

(7,359 posts)
5. Who is giving them such horrible advice?
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 10:54 PM
4 hrs ago

More importantly, why can't they have the courage to hold firm and say NO NEGOTIATIONS ON THIS POINT?

mzmolly

(52,711 posts)
11. F Axelrod. We don't need ICE like we need a police force.
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:09 PM
4 hrs ago

I never agreed with the "defund police" mantra. But I agree that ICE should be abolished.

mopinko

(73,402 posts)
20. personally, i understood it.
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:15 PM
4 hrs ago

it was just too short. but saying ‘reform’ doesnt work, cuz that’s been tried over and over and over, and nobody buys that any more.
defund doesnt mean abolish. it means take away their spendy toys, and send other professionals to do the shit cops dont want to do anyway. i never cd come up w a pithy way to say that, tho. i’m usually pretty good at that. explaining complex things to idiots may b impossible in this enshittified age.

mzmolly

(52,711 posts)
23. I understood it, too. But it had to be explained as you note.
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:20 PM
4 hrs ago

It was an asinine talking point. That said, Minneapolis has come a long way since the dark days of Bob Kroll, thankfully!

AZProgressive

(29,883 posts)
27. The Democrats are using the same playbook
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:42 PM
3 hrs ago

that they used to counter defund the police are actual accountability the leadership pushed "reform" such as body cameras which hasn't made the police less violent and a lot of footage from body cameras never see the light of day. The same playbook they used to counter outrage against police they are using for ICE.

I agree with you as far as ICE not being as important as local police departments but Democratic leadership is using the same playbook against real ICE accountability the same as they countered outrage over the local police departments.

mzmolly

(52,711 posts)
28. And at the same time, Steve Bannon is saying ICE
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:44 PM
3 hrs ago

will be used to intimidate voters. They’re saying what the game plan is. Complaining after they steal an election isn’t going to do us any good.

gab13by13

(31,597 posts)
19. It's OK for protesters to hold up signs that say Abolish ICE
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:14 PM
4 hrs ago

but Congressional Democrats have to be smart about it.

Make the demands, strong demands, and sure as shit, Congressional Magats will say no. Well then when Feb. 13th rolls around, funding for DHS expires and Magats can be blamed for it.

W_HAMILTON

(10,222 posts)
14. The article that started the hysteria that led to more Democratic bashing *literally* included Murphy.
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:11 PM
4 hrs ago
But Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who joined Jeffries and Schumer behind the lectern, said there has been no significant shift.

betsuni

(28,872 posts)
39. I'm waving my ABOLISH SCHUMER protest sign in front of the computer, muttering personal insults at Democrats,
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 01:04 AM
2 hrs ago

but still don't know why I'm supposed to be angry.

Cha

(317,670 posts)
47. Yeah, I asked WHY The OP in That Thread Left OUT THIS PART?
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 01:41 AM
1 hr ago
"Just common sense dictates that there are sometimes safety reasons why you may need a mask,” Murphy told HuffPost. “But no, I think our position is very clear, that if you’re using a mask to obscure your identity in everyday law enforcement, that should be prohibited by law.”

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20996652

DJ Synikus Makisimus

(1,248 posts)
17. Elect more moderates this year so we can have more of this!
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:13 PM
4 hrs ago

Complicity and collaboration, not confrontation!


#antifademocratsforrevengeandretribution

EnergizedLib

(2,973 posts)
18. I absolutely hate this
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:13 PM
4 hrs ago

The biggest scum control the trifecta, and we have the most feeble leadership to combat them.

Once again, the Dems don’t inspire me to vote for them, MAGA inspires me to vote against them.

FoxNewsSucks

(11,537 posts)
33. Yeah, and I'm so sick of my vote being taken for granted.
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 12:01 AM
3 hrs ago

I want to vote FOR politicians who will kick fascist ass. Not look for ways to appease them.

mzmolly

(52,711 posts)
24. I'm unsure I agree with the headlines on this.
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:23 PM
3 hrs ago
“Police officers don’t wear masks. Sheriffs don’t wear masks. State troopers don’t wear masks. There’s no justification for the manner in which ICE is conducting itself in terms of masks,” Jeffries said Tuesday in an interview with “PBS News Hour.”

“Defending ICE agents wearing masks and giving them special treatment, especially when they are so brutal and thuggy, is totally against the views of most Americans who want basic accountability,” Schumer said Tuesday on the Senate floor.


https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democrats-ice-masks-dhs-shutdown_n_69839db8e4b053ac3e17298d

FascismIsDeath

(94 posts)
25. There is no "softening on masks".
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:30 PM
3 hrs ago

As I said in another thread...

They might as well get ahead of the ridiculous reasons Republicans will use to shoot down any restrictions on masks whatsoever.

"Well, Democrats are trying to get them all killed when the next pandemic hits"

"Democrats want make sure the cartels know who's family to target whenever we have agents communicating with informants"

Just take those talking points away from them now instead of having to explain themselves later. Put an iron clad proposal on the table that refutes as many of their disingenuous arguments as possible.

The goal is for ICE/BP to be held to the same standards as regular police officers as far as identifying oneself. Lets make sure that happens.

I'll also add, that you if you read what they are proposing, it will effectively prove that they hired a bunch of untrained, white supremacist, proud boy, militia types.

gulliver

(13,800 posts)
26. I think the masks are unfortunately necessary
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:36 PM
3 hrs ago

The ICE agents are running up against more and more coordinated IT.

It's a bit scary what self-organized groups are now capable of doing. I like official government agencies that conform to the law and are paid by taxpayers. I don't know who any of these other people are, and I don't think anyone does. Even they don't know who they are. They are routinely infiltrated, as we see in the news.

If Schumer and Jeffries carve out circumstances where ICE agents wear a masks, I trust their judgment.

thucythucy

(9,053 posts)
31. Why should ICE be permitted masks
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:49 PM
3 hrs ago

when state, county and local police aren't?

Or do you think all law enforcement should be permitted to operate masked and without having to show badge numbers or other identification?

What makes ICE the exception? Aren't all members of law enforcement vulnerable to "self-organized groups?"

gulliver

(13,800 posts)
35. They are being targeted in an organized way
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 12:09 AM
3 hrs ago

Badge numbers and ID are absolutely necessary, imo.

We can't have arbitrary groups using cheap IT to track and potentially attack law enforcement though. It's just becoming too easy to do. If left unchecked, law enforcement can become impossible to staff or perform. I think the democracy absolutely wants and absolutely needs laws.

thucythucy

(9,053 posts)
37. Law enforcement has always been a relatively risky profession.
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 12:29 AM
2 hrs ago

The solution is to investigate, indict, and convict those that target LE using due process and the proper legal venues as established under our constitution.

Not to grant thousands of federal law enforcement agents virtual immunity from any consequences for their illegal and in some cases physically abusive and even lethal behavior by making it impossible to determine who among them are themselves breaking the law.

Personally, as a rape survivor, I have real problems with the idea of masked, heavily armed and unidentified men pulling people, including women and children, into unmarked vans. We already have instances of people pretending to be ICE committing sexual assaults and robberies. Of course, since we don't know who are ICE and who aren't, we can't be sure that at least some of these assaults weren't being committed by actual ICE agents.

Yes, democracy needs laws. And it needs law enforcement that is answerable to the people. Not a secret police force evidently answerable to no one but themselves.

There's a reason why every tyranny in history has valued the services of a secret police.




FoxNewsSucks

(11,537 posts)
34. WTF??????????????
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 12:04 AM
3 hrs ago

These are the same MAGAt assholes who refused to wear a mask to prevent the spread of a deadly disease.

But it's OK with you to wear a mask to hide their identity when they murder, assault, and brutalize us?????

Jesus H Christ, this is why we lose, and why we're doomed.


Fuck!!!

thucythucy

(9,053 posts)
29. How about we also demand, before any money is approved,
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 11:45 PM
3 hrs ago

that a complete list of ICE agents be provided to Democratic leadership, with the understanding that the names will be cross referenced to look for convicted felons, January 6th rioters, people with a history of domestic or other violence, members of far right groups such as the Proud Boys, etc.

I repeat: this should happen BEFORE money is approved, since we know this administration will ignore any restrictions or regulations once they have the money, just as they've ignored the law on releasing the Epstein files.

Hassler

(4,813 posts)
38. Real negotiations would start with disarming ICEholes
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 12:32 AM
2 hrs ago

A paycheck and carrying a gun is the only reason these goons are ICE-holes.

C Moon

(13,535 posts)
45. trump is wasting huge amounts of tax payer money for his own powerr and enjoyment.
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 01:31 AM
1 hr ago

I don't think our Congress can see the forest for the trees (using a tired old idiom).

Bread and Circuses

(1,751 posts)
46. I can't believe that people are discussing negotiating with the fascists! !
Thu Feb 5, 2026, 01:31 AM
1 hr ago

NO!

Shut down the government!
DEFUND ICE.

General strike!

We’ve lost time negotiating with republicans.

They are murderers and rapists.

Wake up!

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