Sony Cancels Release of "The Interview" After Threats [*]

[The Romulan Republic]

But there are cases in which irresponsible speech is illegal, such as when it can lead to danger. Need we be reminded that this is a country which, in the past, has shelled inhabited islands, sunk ships, kidnapped film directors (this one is of particular relevance), and is still technically at war with an allied nation?

Should they be allowed to do that? No, but there's jack shit we can do to keep them from doing it, so it's best not to poke the hornet's nest.

Are you seriously implying that Sony could be contributorily negligent for a terrorist act by North Korea?

By that reasoning anyone who says anything a terrorist strongly disagrees with could be contributorily negligent.

[Montoso]

When it comes to Korea, I would think if the movie was about SK. leadership that there would also be protests while I do not think they would go hacking. After all, Koreans once had there Queen eliminated by the Japanese. So I do not think they take too kindly to any mention from foreigners of any of there leadership, liked or not, to be eliminated.

Recommend you watch this. Its short. It explains it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrFvkp6BeiA

[Ardoki]

This is all China's fault. They're the ones who keep that mad dog alive.

Only because they don't want an American ally (South Korea) on their border.

[Servinta]

And america is threatened constantly by terrorist, why shouldn't we try to avoid making some of those threats come to fruition.

You can also argue that if America is threatened constantly, if we back down when we're threatened we'll end up backing down all the time.

Well america isn't backing down, Sony is and for good reason.They make a movie that insults an entire country's goverment and they didn't expect someone over there to get mad at them, and it might push NK further into the abyss than it already is on the world stage

[Kelinfort]

It's official: Hackers were from North Korea

But c'mon, this is bullshit. North Korea would not be able to do anything to stop the showings. Please just show it online or some shit.

[Korva]

an armed group controlling a sizeable state and armed forces which have previously violently lashed out over similar things in the past. It's not a question over whether North Korea would be willing to do it, because it has done it before.

Seems like the North Korean government is responsible for the actions of the North Korean government, not Sony.

[United Marxist Nations]

But there are cases in which irresponsible speech is illegal, such as when it can lead to danger. Need we be reminded that this is a country which, in the past, has shelled inhabited islands, sunk ships, kidnapped film directors (this one is of particular relevance), and is still technically at war with an allied nation?

Should they be allowed to do that? No, but there's jack shit we can do to keep them from doing it, so it's best not to poke the hornet's nest.

Are you seriously implying that Sony could be contributorily negligent for a terrorist act by North Korea?

No, I'm saying that we shouldn't anger a state that may or may not react violently for attention. Not releasing a movie is a pretty small concession for avoiding a repeat of the Yeonpyeong Incident, which nearly led to a renewal of hostilities.

[Gelgisith]

Sources:

http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/17/media/the-interview-sony-theater-owners/index.html?sr=fb121714theinterview5pVODtopPhoto

http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/17/theater-chains-opting-not-to-show-the-interview

I think that it's unfortunate that this happened, I was actually planning on seeing this movie. Whoever made these threats must really not understand the concept of satire.

What say you, NSG?

Regardless of satire, this is the first movie in history to feature and condone the assassination of a sitting head of state. Could you imagine if another country made a comedy about killing President Obama, or a comedy about killing the Queen?

Uhm, King Ralph...

[United Marxist Nations]

an armed group controlling a sizeable state and armed forces which have previously violently lashed out over similar things in the past. It's not a question over whether North Korea would be willing to do it, because it has done it before.

Seems like the North Korean government is responsible for the actions of the North Korean government, not Sony.

Yes, but there isn't jack shit we can do to stop the North Korean government from killing civilians in South Korea short of war, so we should take care to avoid doing things that lead to them taking such action.

[New Stinkonia]

This is all China's fault. They're the ones who keep that mad dog alive.

Only because they don't want an American ally (South Korea) on their border.

How does that justify propping up a rogue state?

[Servinta]

Let me just be clear, I hate North Korea; I hope its government is overthrown, I hope Jong-Un faces trial. My gripe with this movie is that it trivializes an important issue which was, and is volatile enough to get people killed. We've been having a good last few months with North Korea, and this film jeopardizes that; not only that, it directly pisses off an armed group controlling a sizeable state and armed forces which have previously violently lashed out over similar things in the past. It's not a question over whether North Korea would be willing to do it, because it has done it before.

Exactly!

[Neutraligon]

While I think the movie looks really silly, it is a bad idea to give into these types of threats. Freedom of the media is a rather important staple and foundation of America.

[Servinta]

Only because they don't want an American ally (South Korea) on their border.

How does that justify propping up a rogue state?

If I was china I would do the same thing, it keeps a barrier between me and what is basically an american backed country and it keeps a nation with nuclear weapons from going to shit in revolution or all out war.

[Korva]

Seems like the North Korean government is responsible for the actions of the North Korean government, not Sony.

Yes, but there isn't jack shit we can do to stop the North Korean government from killing civilians in South Korea short of war, so we should take care to avoid doing things that lead to them taking such action.

It would help then to have a publicly accessible list of things that make Kim Jong-un mad, that way we can all avoid affronts to his honor and dignity (which are as boundless as the justice of his rule).

But that sounds like a very poor strategy for dealing with a fringe regime.

[The Orson Empire]

Looks like the North Koreans have won, then.

[Servinta]

While I think the movie looks really silly, it is a bad idea to give into these types of threats. Freedom of the media is a rather important staple and foundation of America.

Being belligerent with it chips away at that foundation. (just because you can say something, doesn't always mean you should say it)

EDIT:Take burning the american flag for example...

[The Orson Empire]

While I think the movie looks really silly, it is a bad idea to give into these types of threats. Freedom of the media is a rather important staple and foundation of America.

Being belligerent with it chips away at that foundation. (just because you can say something, doesn't always mean you should say it)

You are acting like North Korea could actually retaliate if the movie is released.

The leadership of North Korea has a long history of bluffing.

[Margno]

While I think the movie looks really silly, it is a bad idea to give into these types of threats. Freedom of the media is a rather important staple and foundation of America.

Being belligerent with it chips away at that foundation. (just because you can say something, doesn't always mean you should say it)

If not to protect speech which fucking terrorists find offensive and would have censored? What is the point of free speech?

[United Marxist Nations]

Being belligerent with it chips away at that foundation. (just because you can say something, doesn't always mean you should say it)

You are acting like North Korea could actually retaliate if the movie is released.

The leadership of North Korea has a long history of bluffing.

Yeah, it's not like they have capability for causing an incident without causing war.

Oh wait: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardment_of_Yeonpyeong

[The Romulan Republic]

Let me just be clear, I hate North Korea; I hope its government is overthrown, I hope Jong-Un faces trial. My gripe with this movie is that it trivializes an important issue which was, and is volatile enough to get people killed. We've been having a good last few months with North Korea, and this film jeopardizes that; not only that, it directly pisses off an armed group controlling a sizeable state and armed forces which have previously violently lashed out over similar things in the past. It's not a question over whether North Korea would be willing to do it, because it has done it before.

Weather you approve of the movie is irrelevant to weather there is a right to show it and weather we should submit to threats from terrorists.

[Washington Resistance Army]

Being belligerent with it chips away at that foundation. (just because you can say something, doesn't always mean you should say it)

You are acting like North Korea could actually retaliate if the movie is released.

The leadership of North Korea has a long history of bluffing.

UMN's right, it is for the best. The Korea's already exchanged fire in the past few months and it would be best to try and keep things calm.

[-The Unified Earth Governments-]

You are acting like North Korea could actually retaliate if the movie is released.

The leadership of North Korea has a long history of bluffing.

Yeah, it's not like they have capability for causing an incident without causing war.

Oh wait: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardment_of_Yeonpyeong

What would they do, what could they honestly get away with on the US itself?

[Neutraligon]

While I think the movie looks really silly, it is a bad idea to give into these types of threats. Freedom of the media is a rather important staple and foundation of America.

Being belligerent with it chips away at that foundation. (just because you can say something, doesn't always mean you should say it)

EDIT:Take burning the american flag for example...

I have no problem with burning the American flag and how does being belligerent with it chip away at it?

[Servinta]

Being belligerent with it chips away at that foundation. (just because you can say something, doesn't always mean you should say it)

You are acting like North Korea could actually retaliate if the movie is released.

The leadership of North Korea has a long history of bluffing.

Well I'd like them to keep on bluffing, and if this movie needlessly brings the possibility of an attack by terrorist (Who might not be part of the NK government) then I'd say keep that little gem locked in the movie vault.

(And there's a first time for everything)

[United Marxist Nations]

Yeah, it's not like they have capability for causing an incident without causing war.

Oh wait: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardment_of_Yeonpyeong

What would they do, what could they honestly get away with on the US itself?

That.