It’s stunning how far people will go to trash Colin Kaepernick for protesting the national anthem. One man’s decision to quietly sit or kneel rather than stand with his hand over his heart, borne of a crisis of conscience at the way the mechanisms of power work against African-Americans in this country, produced an ocean of bad takes.
Now, we may have found the worst of them all, and from a truly bizarre place: After authorities apprehended a suspect in the Chelsea bombing of New York City on Saturday, Congressman Lee Zeldin (who represents New York’s 1st District, on the Eastern part of Long Island) tweeted this idiocy:
Suspect in custody. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick.
— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) September 19, 2016
I feel ashamed even saying this, but Colin Kaepernick and his protest of the national anthem have nothing to do with terrorism! Not only does a swift police apprehension of a suspected terrorist have no relation to their systemic mistreatment of people of color, but Zeldin’s smug “You’re welcome” certainly sounds a lot like him taking credit for the actions of New Jersey police (not even in his district!). At best, it’s nonsense and at worst it’s racist, so you better believe his replies were [fire emoji].
If only you'd written "You are" as "Your," this would have been the perfect stupid tweet.
— Scott Tobias (@scott_tobias) September 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/ItsTheBrandi/status/777925734404726785
https://twitter.com/pattymo/status/777923146389286912
https://twitter.com/WendyBrandes/status/777920429277089792
https://twitter.com/ParkerMolloy/status/777921959430656001
RT @leezeldin Suspect in custody. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick. pic.twitter.com/R0O8kWhdyE
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) September 19, 2016
how did you catch him? you're a real hero.
— 🌱 (@skottdaltonic) September 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/em_dash01/status/777900060193464320
https://twitter.com/AllezLesBoulez/status/777900348430319616
https://twitter.com/Zeaadology/status/777901796513701888
https://twitter.com/cafedotcom/status/777915270778253314
Hey look, it's the new "THANKS, OBAMA." https://t.co/16sVg47MRv
— Mike… Byhoff? (@mbyhoff) September 19, 2016
If only Kaepernick had stood for the anthem these past two weeks, we could have caught the terrorist 3 hours sooner probably.
— DARK BRANDON RISING (@Alex__Katz) September 19, 2016
.@leezeldin should he thank the homeless person and the thieves for finding the suspect?
— Legendary demi-hottie Li’l 🌳 (@karengeier) September 19, 2016
And we hope this parody form gains a few more iterations:
Had to work through lunch today. You are welcome, Colin Kaepernick.
— Rob Wesley (@eastwes) 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