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Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,606
Registered: ‎06-27-2010
On 12/18/2014 kittymomNC said:

That may very well be true... I've only been on the boards for a couple of years. However, I still don't understand why so many things have to be made political when they aren't. The only thing political about the Sony situation is the fact that our govt has been investigating and is deciding how to respond, but ugly remarks are made before that decision ever even comes out. Our govt didn't cause it, our govt is not "sitting back" while Rome burns, so to speak, and I can't even remember all the things that have been said here. It's just another excuse to get in little "digs" -- imagine how all our enemies would be laughing if they could seen some things on these boards and think "typical Americans"?We're all Americans, and this cyber attack and/or other threats are against our country and us as a people. We were the "United" States of America in 2001... what has to happen for all of us to be behind our govt in resolving an "American" problem again? Should I dare say it? That's not a question that even needs to be answered.

kittymom, Thanks for your kind words in the previous post. I wanted to quote this one because I agree with you. I'm so darned weary of the division in this country and on these forums. It's as if there's a determination to turn everything into extreme partisan politics, which then gives us all the "opportunity" to nit-pick everyone we don't like. Then we end up tearing each other apart, piece by piece.

{#emotions_dlg.unsure}

Few things reveal your intellect and your generosity of spirit—the parallel powers of your heart and mind—better than how you give feedback.~Maria Popova
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,026
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

I'm still not understanding all of the anger/outrage/disgust/disappointment/etc towards Sony. Like Sony USA Sony Pictures is a subsidiary of Sony, a Japanese corporation (as Marienkaefer said earlier). How does a Japanese corporation's decision make America seem weak? And how does a foreign corporations decision have an impact on our freedom of speech?

_____ ,,,^ ._. ^,,,_____
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,221
Registered: ‎08-09-2012
On 12/18/2014 dooBdoo said:
On 12/18/2014 kittymomNC said:

That may very well be true... I've only been on the boards for a couple of years. However, I still don't understand why so many things have to be made political when they aren't. The only thing political about the Sony situation is the fact that our govt has been investigating and is deciding how to respond, but ugly remarks are made before that decision ever even comes out. Our govt didn't cause it, our govt is not "sitting back" while Rome burns, so to speak, and I can't even remember all the things that have been said here. It's just another excuse to get in little "digs" -- imagine how all our enemies would be laughing if they could seen some things on these boards and think "typical Americans"?We're all Americans, and this cyber attack and/or other threats are against our country and us as a people. We were the "United" States of America in 2001... what has to happen for all of us to be behind our govt in resolving an "American" problem again? Should I dare say it? That's not a question that even needs to be answered.

kittymom, Thanks for your kind words in the previous post. I wanted to quote this one because I agree with you. I'm so darned weary of the division in this country and on these forums. It's as if there's a determination to turn everything into extreme partisan politics, which then gives us all the "opportunity" to nit-pick everyone we don't like. Then we end up tearing each other apart, piece by piece.

{#emotions_dlg.unsure}

Thanks, doobs, I don't know if I dare respond, because apparently the original is not here any more (who knows why), and I may cause this to go as well. I long for better days for our country, but I don't know if I have enough years left to think I will see them. I guess I'm done with this thread... it's gone too far off the rails. {#emotions_dlg.crying}

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,662
Registered: ‎01-27-2014
On 12/18/2014 Macy said:

there is a time and place for the US to show its might. A movie is not it. Putting innocent people in harms way whether there is a perceived threat or not, is not the venue to show NK that we are not afraid.

As I've been reading other reports and comments from the general public, the majority of people would not go see the movie and do not think that we as a country need to show NK that we are not afraid. We have terrorists in this country already living among us and it wouldn't take but a minute for any of them to show up in a movie theater with guns ablazin' to show us that they are not afraid. Need I remind anyone that 2 Russian men were living here off the radar until they set off a bomb in Boston during a marathon? We just don't know who is here on a work Visa or as an illegal but has connections to NK and can use this dumb movie as their platform.

Sony, or any Hollywood producer, should not be making movies under the guise of comedy about evil people who are still living and would love for that to be the matchstick that sets off WWIII.

Your statement would suggest that you don't understand freedom of speech.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,221
Registered: ‎08-09-2012
On 12/18/2014 Goldengate8361 said:
On 12/18/2014 Macy said:

there is a time and place for the US to show its might. A movie is not it. Putting innocent people in harms way whether there is a perceived threat or not, is not the venue to show NK that we are not afraid.

As I've been reading other reports and comments from the general public, the majority of people would not go see the movie and do not think that we as a country need to show NK that we are not afraid. We have terrorists in this country already living among us and it wouldn't take but a minute for any of them to show up in a movie theater with guns ablazin' to show us that they are not afraid. Need I remind anyone that 2 Russian men were living here off the radar until they set off a bomb in Boston during a marathon? We just don't know who is here on a work Visa or as an illegal but has connections to NK and can use this dumb movie as their platform.

Sony, or any Hollywood producer, should not be making movies under the guise of comedy about evil people who are still living and would love for that to be the matchstick that sets off WWIII.

Your statement would suggest that you don't understand freedom of speech.

I just have to get back in here... I think freedom of speech needs to be used with a dose of common sense. {#emotions_dlg.glare}

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,662
Registered: ‎01-27-2014
On 12/18/2014 kittymomNC said:
On 12/18/2014 Goldengate8361 said:
On 12/18/2014 Macy said:

there is a time and place for the US to show its might. A movie is not it. Putting innocent people in harms way whether there is a perceived threat or not, is not the venue to show NK that we are not afraid.

As I've been reading other reports and comments from the general public, the majority of people would not go see the movie and do not think that we as a country need to show NK that we are not afraid. We have terrorists in this country already living among us and it wouldn't take but a minute for any of them to show up in a movie theater with guns ablazin' to show us that they are not afraid. Need I remind anyone that 2 Russian men were living here off the radar until they set off a bomb in Boston during a marathon? We just don't know who is here on a work Visa or as an illegal but has connections to NK and can use this dumb movie as their platform.

Sony, or any Hollywood producer, should not be making movies under the guise of comedy about evil people who are still living and would love for that to be the matchstick that sets off WWIII.

Your statement would suggest that you don't understand freedom of speech.

I just have to get back in here... I think freedom of speech needs to be used with a dose of common sense. {#emotions_dlg.glare}

But, there's the problem.... Who's to say what "sense" is common? Whose common sense? A free, truly free, ability to express/communicate is the only way to go. We can all have opinions and preferences about any such communication, but we should never try to dictate the right to express it....however crazy, even reprehensible, strange, etc the message is perceived to be.
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,251
Registered: ‎11-24-2014
On 12/18/2014 Goldengate8361 said:
On 12/18/2014 Macy said:

there is a time and place for the US to show its might. A movie is not it. Putting innocent people in harms way whether there is a perceived threat or not, is not the venue to show NK that we are not afraid.

As I've been reading other reports and comments from the general public, the majority of people would not go see the movie and do not think that we as a country need to show NK that we are not afraid. We have terrorists in this country already living among us and it wouldn't take but a minute for any of them to show up in a movie theater with guns ablazin' to show us that they are not afraid. Need I remind anyone that 2 Russian men were living here off the radar until they set off a bomb in Boston during a marathon? We just don't know who is here on a work Visa or as an illegal but has connections to NK and can use this dumb movie as their platform.

Sony, or any Hollywood producer, should not be making movies under the guise of comedy about evil people who are still living and would love for that to be the matchstick that sets off WWIII.

Your statement would suggest that you don't understand freedom of speech.

well, since you don't know me or what I do, your statement about me is quite the contrary. here is a tidbit of what freedom of speech does NOT include according to the US Courts: pay particular attention to the first one about inciting actions that would harm others.

Freedom of speech does not include the right:

  • To incite actions that would harm others (e.g., “hout[ing] ‘fire’ in a crowded theater.”).
    Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919).
  • To make or distribute obscene materials.
    Roth v. United States, 354 U.S. 476 (1957).
  • To burn draft cards as an anti-war protest.
    United States v. O’Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968).
  • To permit students to print articles in a school newspaper over the objections of the school administration.
    Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).
  • Of students to make an obscene speech at a school-sponsored event.
    Bethel School District #43 v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986).
  • Of students to advocate illegal drug use at a school-sponsored event.
    Morse v. Frederick, __ U.S. __ (2007).
<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; color: #ffffff; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: 'hoefler text', georgia, 'times new roman', serif; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; background-color: #7da2c1;"> FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITIES</h2>
<h2 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; color: #00235d; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 20px; font-family: Garamond, Georgia, 'Palatino Linotype', 'MS Serif', 'Times New Roman';"> Educational Resources</h2>

I'm done with P.C. Just say what you mean and mean what you say. It's easier.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,662
Registered: ‎01-27-2014
On 12/18/2014 Goldengate8361 said:
On 12/18/2014 kittymomNC said:
On 12/18/2014 Goldengate8361 said:
On 12/18/2014 Macy said:

there is a time and place for the US to show its might. A movie is not it. Putting innocent people in harms way whether there is a perceived threat or not, is not the venue to show NK that we are not afraid.

As I've been reading other reports and comments from the general public, the majority of people would not go see the movie and do not think that we as a country need to show NK that we are not afraid. We have terrorists in this country already living among us and it wouldn't take but a minute for any of them to show up in a movie theater with guns ablazin' to show us that they are not afraid. Need I remind anyone that 2 Russian men were living here off the radar until they set off a bomb in Boston during a marathon? We just don't know who is here on a work Visa or as an illegal but has connections to NK and can use this dumb movie as their platform.

Sony, or any Hollywood producer, should not be making movies under the guise of comedy about evil people who are still living and would love for that to be the matchstick that sets off WWIII.

Your statement would suggest that you don't understand freedom of speech.

I just have to get back in here... I think freedom of speech needs to be used with a dose of common sense. {#emotions_dlg.glare}

But, there's the problem.... Who's to say what "sense" is common? Whose common sense? A free, truly free, ability to express/communicate is the only way to go. We can all have opinions and preferences about any such communication, but we should never try to limit one's right to express it....however crazy, even reprehensible, strange, etc the message is perceived to be.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,221
Registered: ‎08-09-2012
On 12/18/2014 Goldengate8361 said:
On 12/18/2014 Goldengate8361 said:
On 12/18/2014 kittymomNC said:
On 12/18/2014 Goldengate8361 said:
On 12/18/2014 Macy said:

there is a time and place for the US to show its might. A movie is not it. Putting innocent people in harms way whether there is a perceived threat or not, is not the venue to show NK that we are not afraid.

As I've been reading other reports and comments from the general public, the majority of people would not go see the movie and do not think that we as a country need to show NK that we are not afraid. We have terrorists in this country already living among us and it wouldn't take but a minute for any of them to show up in a movie theater with guns ablazin' to show us that they are not afraid. Need I remind anyone that 2 Russian men were living here off the radar until they set off a bomb in Boston during a marathon? We just don't know who is here on a work Visa or as an illegal but has connections to NK and can use this dumb movie as their platform.

Sony, or any Hollywood producer, should not be making movies under the guise of comedy about evil people who are still living and would love for that to be the matchstick that sets off WWIII.

Your statement would suggest that you don't understand freedom of speech.

I just have to get back in here... I think freedom of speech needs to be used with a dose of common sense. {#emotions_dlg.glare}

But, there's the problem.... Who's to say what "sense" is common? Whose common sense? A free, truly free, ability to express/communicate is the only way to go. We can all have opinions and preferences about any such communication, but we should never try to limit one's right to express it....however crazy, even reprehensible, strange, etc the message is perceived to be.

True, but therein lies the conundrum... hopefully, most sane people would use at least some degree of common sense in a case where saying what they would really like to say could cause problems worse than not having the freedom to say it. Putting a damper on freedom of speech in a case like this movie, I don't think would have been such a bad thing. The alternative is the possibility of bombs going off in theaters full of people. I don't know who said it previously, but who on earth thought this whole movie scenario would be funny? It's just my personal opinion, but I have to question the intelligence of the people who put this thing together in the first place.

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Posts: 4,270
Registered: ‎04-20-2012

Mitt R has a fabulous idea:

.@SonyPictures don’t cave, fight: release @TheInterview free online globally. Ask viewers for voluntary $5 contribution to fight #Ebola.