Dem Rep to Protest Orlando Moment of Silence: ‘Obnoxious Expressions of Smug Incompetence’

One Democratic congressman is expressing his deep frustration with how Congress holds moments of silence after mass shootings, but does nothing about them, so he’s protesting the whole thing.

Congressman Jim Himes went off on Twitter yesterday to vent his frustrations:

I will not attend one more"Moment of Silence" on the Floor. Our silence does not honor the victims, it mocks them. pic.twitter.com/VWWdOkliWN

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) June 13, 2016

The Moments of Silence in the House have become an abomination. God will ask you, "How did you keep my children safe"? Silence.

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) June 13, 2016

God will ask you why you did not defer to the will of the people as children poured out their blood. And we will answer with silence.

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) June 13, 2016

If whatever God you worship is in fact a God of love and peace you had better use the Moment of Silence to pray for our souls.

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) June 13, 2016

If God is an angry God, prepare to know a hell well beyond that lived day to day by the families of the butchered. I will not be silent.

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) June 13, 2016

@JonathanKeller I don't think you will find a denigration of prayer in my words.

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) June 13, 2016

And in an interview today, Himes particularly objected to moments of silence as “obnoxious expressions of smug incompetence”:

He said he plans to talk to Democratic colleagues about leaving the floor and honoring the victims in another way at the same time.

Himes said the point is not to be disruptive, but “to make the obvious moral point that silence in the face of death is not acceptable.”

[image via U.S. House]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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