- Friday, December 19, 2014

For the first time in this column, we feature a bully, as well as someone who was bullied, then turned around and became a bully themselves.

In a despicable act of cyber warfare and terrorism, a group known as G.O.P., the Guardians of Peace, hacked into Sony Pictures computers and leaked a number of embarrassing emails, and some truly embarrassing movies, like the upcoming “Annie” remake. This was all done because Sony was about to release a movie called “The Interview,” in which North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was to be assassinated at the behest of the CIA by two TV nincompoops.

All fingers point at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for committing the hack, this act of war.

I applaud President Obama for his announced anger of this hostile attack from North Korea. Let’s just hope his actions match his rhetoric.

We cannot just shrug our shoulders and say, “Well, maybe they had it coming, it looked like a stupid movie anyway.” That misses the big picture.

If I were a citizen of North Korea maybe, I too would be upset at a film that shows the assassination of the leader. I know I would be furious if there were a film that portrayed the assassination of an American president! But that is still no excuse for unleashing not only a vicious computer virus but toping it off with a threat of violent terrorism if the movie wasn’t stopped.

Careers will be lost over the released emails and Sony may lose its $75 million dollar investment. $44 million on production and an estimated $30 million for promotion of the film that now sits on the shelf waiting to be seen. It is here where I had sympathy and stood with Sony — until they blew it.

Then, Sony caved like John Boehner facing down Mr. Obama in an important, America-saving negotiation. Sony decided not to release the film on Christmas or at anytime in the foreseeable future. Giving the terrorists the win they wanted and putting the rest of us in imminent danger.

Hollywood, rightfully is speaking out about this. Judd Apatow tweeted that he thinks it is “disgraceful that these theaters are not showing The Interview.” He also asked, “Will they pull any movie that gets an anonymous threat now?”

In his tweet, Jimmy Kimmel called the yanking of the movie an “un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist action and sets a terrifying precedent.”

Others in Hollywood have spoken out; yet completely miss the mark;

Actor Damon Wayans tweeted: “If N. Korea made a movie about killing Obama, half our country would literally help fund it.”

Not true Mr. Wayans. You are good in “New Girl,” but please leave your political commentary to yourself. It’s embarrassing.

For your attack on our nation, your threats of violence against innocent Americans and in the face of a bully your choice to cower and leave all of us at risk … Kim Jong-un and Sony Pictures, you are the Liberal Bullies of the Week!

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