Sony executives have decided to prostrate themselves to the hackers who have threatened attacks on movie theaters by canceling the New York premiere of The Interview. Essentially, we are now living under the rules of terrorists from North Korea who have successfully censored the film with threats. Instead of beefing up security and refusing to comply with the demands of criminals, Sony execs have bent over backwards to accommodate the wants and needs of these thugs.
First, hackers broke into Sony computers and exposed private emails from top execs, including some embarrassing exchanges involving Angelina Jolie. The thieves have been releasing more and more information each day, greatly compromising Sony Pictures. Now, the hackers have stated that they will attack movie theaters that show The Interview, with 911-style violence, Boston.com reports. They even warned people living near the theaters to remove themselves from the area.
Did Sony fight back by calling in additional security forces, which they most certainly could afford? No, instead, they will prostrate themselves by cowardly actions including canceling the premiere of the film. One movie theater chain has pulled the movie entirely.
As Americans, we expect to have the First Amendment upheld and not trampled on by extremists from totalitarian countries. North Korean hackers causing Sony execs to prostrate themselves is no different than radical Muslim marching into our homes and implementing Sharia law by force.
It is outrageous that Sony would not fight back against these potentially baseless threats. Sony should defend itself against these criminals and refuse to bow to the hackers’ self-appointed authority. If we allow North Korean sensibilities about what is art invade our country, we are no better than North Korea itself. Soon, will all citizens be reading only books about our leader to the exclusion of everything else? The decision to cancel The Interview premiere puts us on a slippery slope toward a totalitarian regime, and it should not be allowed to stand.
Even worse than the premiere being canceled is the news that experts “fear” the hackers will never be caught.
No. no, no no, no, no.
This is the United States of America. It is time to fight for our artistic freedom. Show these lowlifes who is boss. We absolutely cannot allow this to go on. Perhaps it is time to call in the military on this. If that sounds harsh, ask yourself if you really want Kim Jong-un dictating your entertainment from now on. Because guess what? That is exactly what is happening here. Does going to war over artistic expression sound extreme? Tell that to every soldier who has died for our American freedoms. Artistic expression is one of those freedoms, and we cannot allow it to be compromised.
This decision is an embarrassment to all Americans and Sony should reverse it at once. Let us come together and show the hackers what the First Amendment and, more importantly, what the Second Amendment is all about. Secure the premiere against any attacks and proceed as planned. Otherwise, Sony execs are complicit in destroying the American way of life.
By: Madison Cheyenne
Photo Credit: filmmagazinedigital.com