In a tweet that elicited a lot of public head-scratching, Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., on Monday tried to draw some sort of connection between San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the suspect behind this weekend’s bombings in New York City and New Jersey.
Suspect in custody. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick.
— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) September 19, 2016
Asked to explain, Zeldin wrote in an email to The Intercept: “This is that moment in time that reminds us exactly of why we are so blessed to have men and women in our military, law enforcement, and other first responders [sic] who would risk their lives and lay it all on the line to protect our freedoms and liberties.”
He continued: “I’m insulted and disgusted when someone refuses to say the pledge or stand for the national anthem. That is their right of free speech and this is mine. I’m so grateful that we have our nation’s protectors to do what they do and do it so well.”
Kaepernick has become a hugely controversial figure by refusing to stand for the National Anthem: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” he said.
It’s not the first time that Zeldin has voiced his disdain for Kaepernick. He also did so in August:
#Kaepernick should think about the service members risking their lives to protect his freedom to be both rich and unpatriotic in NFL #USA
— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) August 29, 2016
Zeldin declined The Intercept’s request to further explain how Kaepernick has anything to do with the bombs.
Twitter had its own fun with the odd pairing.
If your first thought after a suspect is arrested is "How am I gonna stick it to Kaepernick?"
-You're doing life wrong.— Imraan Siddiqi (@imraansiddiqi) September 19, 2016
This is actually really funny I’m gonna say you’re welcome Colin Kaepernick after everything I do https://t.co/p1sPE0CeLy
— Bobby (@SullivanBobby) September 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/_Zeets/status/777902868967940096?lang=en
Anyone trying to insult Black Lives Matter or Colin Kaepernick over the arrest of Ahmad Khan Rahami is nothing short of an imbecile.
— born miserable (@bornmiserable) September 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/NickCho/status/777920633057320960
If Colin Kaepernick didn't kneel, the Titanic would still be with us https://t.co/9UdSwnLgsn
— Dub (@WMsDiary) September 19, 2016
I turned 5-0 today. You are welcome, Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/qAPPdroQFJ
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) September 19, 2016
I ate a salad for lunch today. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/7uVdnaF9KA
— Roberto Aram Ferdman (@robferdman) September 19, 2016
I brushed and flossed my teeth this morning. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/KkjoP74mhG
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) September 19, 2016
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I’M BEN MUESSIG, The Intercept’s editor-in-chief. It’s been a devastating year for journalism — the worst in modern U.S. history.
We have a president with utter contempt for truth aggressively using the government’s full powers to dismantle the free press. Corporate news outlets have cowered, becoming accessories in Trump’s project to create a post-truth America. Right-wing billionaires have pounced, buying up media organizations and rebuilding the information environment to their liking.
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