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
'You are welcome Colin Kaepernick' is the new 'Thanks Obama' https://t.co/8NQb36fsAx
— Zito (@_Zeets) September 19, 2016
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
I just had a cold brew that I didn’t totally hate. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/XP0yYexzh5 pic.twitter.com/Xui9fvljuK
— Nicholas Cho (@NickCho) September 19, 2016
If Colin Kaepernick didn't kneel, the Titanic would still be with us https://t.co/9UdSwnLgsn
— WJ (@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 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
jesus christ, and I thought Steve King and Louie Gohmert were the craziest motherfuckers in DC. We have a new champion!
KILL A LAWYER FOR JESUS !!!
Zeldin’s tweet is not wrong. Colin Kaepernick should be thanking the authorities for not detaining and frisking the possible petty crooks who, in turn, were able to find the bombs.
The classic example of “false equivalence” Zeldin is claiming that the extra-judicial killing of unarmed African Americans is necessary & justified in order for the police to find & arrest terrorists.
If this is a measure of the “smarts” of the average Republican Congressman it’s no wonder Congress is such a mess. We knew that “white boys” couldn’t jump. But who knew that ” white boys” couldn’t think?
WOW…A comment like this coming from a congressman means America is doomed, i am still trying to wrap my head around this comment, what does kaepernick protest got to do with terrorism…This guy is a complete disgrace to the US government and why are people trying so hard to divert the real reason why kaepernick is protesting.At he’s not burning properties and looting,he’s doing it in a more civilised & peaceful way.
This guy Zeldin, he’s an idiot. He’s the kind of guy who will happily be swinging the truncheon every day in one of those “family camps” that will be coming sooner or later to the good old USA.
Great article Naomi. You’d think Zeldin would applaud Kaepernick’s use of his first amendment rights since he is such a patriot. I guess we will wait and see if he tweets out an explanation on how Kaep and the bombings are connected
Stop crapping about this article. Some times we need to be reminded the Lunatics are in charge!
For Christ sake Naomi, let it rest. Stop trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Does the Intercept truly believe that this story rates repeated articles in exclusion to everything else that’s going on in the world? Is this the type of journalism that Omidyar envisioned when he launched the Intercept with a 500 million dollar pledge? Really?
Really, Karl?
You think that any story which gets space on The Intercept should have Pulitzer potential?
Why don’t you make some honest suggestions if you feel so strongly about it?
Funny you should bring that up! In response to another mind-numbing intercept story about Kaepernick, I suggested several that had the revolutionary potential to more honestly and healthfully reflect the current status of civil rights in this country. In fact, I believe that I am the only one that did so out of more than one thousand responses to the articles that have run on the Intercept in relation to Kaepernick. But you weren’t being sincere when you suggested that were yo? Rather your choice of name and accompanying snark have the odor of Mona all over them. Such is the nature of her and her mindless hive.
The Internet is a big place, Karl. Give it a loooooooooooooong spin.
You are welcome Colin Kaepernick.
Less than twenty responses when the original Intercept article concerning Kaepernick’s brand-building manipulations of public discourse drew almost one thousand – I would say that interest has predictably waned in proportion to the real significance of the story itself. This fanfare was nothing more than an alt-left tempest in a teapot. Broadway Joe Namath garnered more lasting attention for wearing white cleats and a fur coat. Here is a little mental exercise for you: Name one black professional athlete who flashed a defiant closed fist on national TV while playing for a professional team. I’ll bet that you cannot think of one without looking it up yet it happened just this week. Who would have even remembered the name “Juan Carlos” unless the alt-left media recently invoked his name? These ego-driven gestures are merely fashionable asides for wannabe chic radicals. If Colin Kaepernick was truly a man of conscience (he wears his faith on his sleeve for all to see), he would have long since abstained from his muscle-kissing self adoration and donated money without the brand-building benefit of the national spotlight. Maybe this is why he has so much appeal to people like yourself…
Oh Say Can You See
The Blood on the Rag
Etc. etc ,,,
It’s shocking that an anti-BLM crusader such as yourself would criticize this article.
Who could have possibly predicted such an amazing turn of events?
What was it you called everybody in BLM again?
Was it man-hating, vegan, Maoists?
You are welcome Col… oops… it would almost make sense here.
This is like a puppy got caught in a pipe story. Fluff crap bollox pox trash
Well said
Hey lady, Notepad is a douche and this whole thing including BLM is based on lies. Hands up dont shoot = lie and so is the supposed war on blacks by cops = lie.
But you are a gum chewing hero lady. Catch a cold.
Thank you, David Duke.
https://youtu.be/dPGdgEIlVgk
Who was that shot in cold blood?
Terence Crutcher
Zeldin may feel well protected by racist cops who use excessive force and consider it a job well done, but he is actually poorly served by them and he poorly serves himself in not criticizing them the way Kaepernick has done.
“and he poorly serves himself in not criticizing them the way Kaepernick has done.”
True, Kaep has saved countless black lives with those piggy socks of his.
He probably has, with all the scrutiny that police are under right now I’m sure there have been some cops that were about to kill someone and decided against it because of the hassle of having to explain why he shot someone in the back that didn’t have a weapon and was laying on the ground with their hands in the air.
At least they didn’t have the audacity to put this in “The Best of the Intercept”. Is there any way to unclick this artcle?
Wait. But white people with big, scary, cookie sized eyes are the worst terrorist known to man. Check your history book. Never mind they keep lying. GOOGLE black Wall Street and the share cropper massacre.
That piece of garbage is not from my TI account. But nice try TI, it’s not the first time that this happens!!
wow
according to Lee Zeldin of newyork, Colin sold his soul and didn’t know it.
according to Lee Zeldin of newyork, Lee owns Colins soul and doesn’t know it.
according to Lee Zeldin of newyork, Colin owes Lee Zeldin a whole lot more like the slaves owed when the slaves were ’employed’.
according to Lee Zeldin of newyork, one needs to be grateful for evil that asks for human sacrifices of many for the benefit of the one lotto winner.
Lee Zeldin, almost human but not quite.
Typical wallstreet zion mentality? Perhaps Lee Zeldin is also of the type that might have many killed and lands robbed and then wants you to thank him that he didnt kill or rob you? in self defence of course. Yep.
So a politician few have heard of writes a shit tweet… that happens multiple times per day… who cares.
Naomi does because if she doesn’t turn in her daily quota of articles she will lose her internship.
I will give you credit for not going full Mackey tho… at least you didn’t include one of your own tweets in your article!
Eldin is running for re-election in 2016. He faced no opposition in the Republican primary, which was held on June 28, 2016.
He is being challenged in the General Election to be held on November 8, 2016
Hmmm —-
And guess ? He’s a friggin lawyer . Who wudda thought that ,, right ?
Wudda, Cudda ,,Shudda !!!
LOL
He is pathetic…. I mean the congressman!
this is a very gawker-esque piece
lulz