Sony Pictures, along with the nation's big theater chains, should not have caved to a totalitarian regime by allowing The Interview to be shelved or rescheduled in any way. Make no mistake about it. We are in a violent culture war for our democratic way of life.
This is now a world where journalists are being beheaded, though their main weapon was a pen and schoolchildren are being gunned down in classrooms. We should fight this war on every front, including from Hollywood.
A White House spokesman said the recent hacking of Sony's website was the work of "a sophisticalted actor" but did not confirm that North Korea was responsible. Sony withdrew The Interview after threats by hackers in cyberspace that the release would lead to a terrorist attack worse than Sept. 11, 2001.
I get the fears of corporate executives that they want the movie going public to be safe. However, it is a slippery slope. I also stand with President Obama's initial statements that Americans should "go to the movies."
We should not alter our way of life lest we become just like those who want to do us harm. There better have been a good reason for Obama to waver on this issue in any way or to back the decision to pull the comedy that is critical of North Korea's leader.
I also agree with film producer Judd Apatow, who said of the controversy: "This only guarantees that this movie will be seen by more people on earth than it would have before. Legally or illegally all will see it."
What is true in this country is that we value freedom as much or more than security. So I still stand with those who supported the release of the movie.
To do anything else is to pander to America's worst enemies around the world. Let us show we are different than North Korea. We know our freedom and democratic way of life are more important than just being safe.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Justice Department and the FBI are investigating the cyberattack on Sony. This episode demonstrates we need to protect our artists, writers and yes, even our comedians the same way we protect our military.
The Interview, made by Sony Pictures, stars James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists who are granted an interview with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The CIA then hires the pair to assassinate him. The film was due to have been released over Christmas.