U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, in an angry outburst of five tweets over the course of seven minutes, has declared that God wants Congress to change policy in reaction to the massacre early Sunday in Orlando, and if Congress doesn’t, hell awaits “if God is an angry God.”
UPDATES: State representative candidate Randy Klein issues statement; Himes responds to Darienite on Twitter, and Darienite replies (see below).
In wording that sounds like a prophet from the Bible, or reminiscent of angry words from an even Higher Authority, Himes first took exception to a moment of silence on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, because the symbolism was, Himes indicated, accompanied by an unwillingness to change policy.
What part of Himes’ Twitter account page looks like.
“I will not attend one more ‘Moment of Silence’ on the Floor,” Himes tweeted at 8:45 p.m., Sunday. “Our silence does not honor the victims, it mocks them.” Accompanying his statement was a rainbow symbol used on flags promoting LGBT pride. Below the image, a “#prayfororlando” hashtag was graphically changed to “#policychangefororlando / #notonemore.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes’ tweet at 8:45 p.m. the day of the Orlando nightclub massacre.
Himes’ tweets didn’t elaborate exactly what policy change he’s demanding Congress legislate, but he has been in favor of legislation on gun control.
On June 2, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Himes issued a statement about gun violence that may show what he was talking about in his Sunday night tweets:
I will continue to work with all of those who want sensible gun laws to end this violence through universal background checks, better mental healthcare, stronger regulation of the gun industry, and changing a culture that values the unlimited right to firearms over the safety of our families.
In the next seven minutes after the “#policychangeorlando” tweet, Himes’ tweets indicated he knows what God wants Congress to do, and members of Congress may go to hell if they don’t do it:
— “The Moments of Silence in the House have become an abomination. God will ask you, ‘How did you keep my children safe’? Silence.” (8:47 p.m.)
— “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.” (8:48 p.m.)
— “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.” (8:49 p.m.)
— “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.” (8:52 p.m.)
Himes’ next tweet was in Spanish, in response to a tweet in Spanish by a Jesus Garcia. According to Google Translate, which gives a rough idea of what was said, the dialogue went like this:
Jesus Garcia (in response to Himes’ 8:48 p.m. tweet): “Sr Hines, como es posible optener la protection divina cuando la vida que se vive y practica es contraria. A la santidad de Dios.”
Mr. Hines [Himes], as possible optener [to choose] divine protection when life is lived and practiced contrary . The holiness of God.
(Or more likely: “Mr. Himes, how is it possible to choose divine protection when life is lived and practiced contrary to the holiness of God?”)
Himes replied at 9:28 p.m.: “Qué pida de ti Jehová: solamente hacer juicio, y amar misericordia, y humillarte para andar con tu Dios.”
What the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Right, Mr.Congresista [Mr. Congressman], without forgetting that divine justice reaches the sinner only when repents and returns to God.
11:02 a.m., Sunday tweet from Himes
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes’ tweet at 8:45 p.m. the day of the Orlando nightclub massacre.
8:47 p.m. tweet
8:48 p.m. tweet
8:49 p.m. tweet
8:52 p.m. tweet
Jesus Garcia’s tweet at 9:15 p.m., and Himes’ reply (above it) at 9:28 p.m.
Garcia’s reply to Himes at 9:52 p.m.
UPDATE: Himes Responds to Darienite.com, Darienite.com Replies
At 11:05 p.m., Himes responded to a tweet from Darienite.com which notified him of this article. Here’s the dialog on Twitter (the link Himes gives out is to this statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supporting gun control measures — it’s worth mentioning the title: “Backgrounder On A Mercy And Peacebuilding Approach To Gun Violence”):
11:05 p.m., Sunday
Tweets at 11:26 and 11:35 p.m.
11:37 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy’s Angry Tweet
U.S. Sen. Murphy’s 12:08 p.m., Sunday tweet.
U.S. Sen. Blumenthal Tweets
Both of these tweets have a 1:30 p.m. time stamp.
Update: Candidate Randy Klein of Darien: ‘We’re All In This Together’
On Monday, June 13: “Randy Klein of Darien [a Democratic candidate for state representative in the 141st district, opposing incumbent Republican state Rep. Terrie Wood] issued the following statement on this weekend’s tragic shooting in Orlando:
“Words cannot describe the grief we feel towards those who lost friends and family this weekend in Orlando. We must all stand together and combine our words with action to make sure we do everything we can, including supporting common sense gun control reforms, to prevent violence like this from occurring in the future.
“I also condemn those who attempt to take advantage of this tragedy. Just today, Donald Trump has chosen to brag about how these deaths justify his hate speech and fear mongering. I would ask us all to remember that in the fight to end senseless violence, we are all in this together. It is that which unites us, rather than those that seek to divide us, that will make our country safer for our children and future generations to come.”
Clarification, 6:25 a.m., Monday: The words “if God is an angry God” have been added to the end of the first paragraph in this article to reflect that condition in Himes’ 8:52 p.m. tweet. In the tweet posted just before that one, Himes wrote “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.” — perhaps indicating a lesser punishment.
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