Tuesday morning, I posted to Gotham politics a blurb and link from Crains that “Theater cancels premiere of controversial film” with a comments aimed a Gotham bloggers that I see a great blog here. Anyone familiar with that Gotham mantra, you say it you own it?

Sort of happened here......

One blogger suggested an interest in taking up the mantle but expressed concern at least five others might seize the opportunity to comment before it cycles back to her day.   I suggested she poll them; she also volunteered she already has two columns ready to rock.   I responded: When I wrote my regular column I often penned commentaries several weeks ahead, even sometimes submitting them in advance to my editors.

HOWEVER, when I felt the muse I drafted alternative commentaries based on current events or new information that cried for me to weigh in.  That may not show per se in my ebook, The Public Ought To Know, but I recall doing it and the cool thing when I often wrote those pieces: the substance flowed the way a songwriter divined his/her work (or at least they so claimed).

A shadowy group whose name suggests the opposite and thus gets no mention here moved beyond the corporate espionage that released embarrassing emails (another blog here folks: did any news outlet actually have authorization to print the content?) to threatened violence at the NewYork City premiere and screenings of “The Interview” (it already premiered last week in Los Angeles).  Sony reacted by allowing theater chains to cancel showings. Stars Seth Rogen and James Franco backed out of media appearances including a Rogen guest spot on Late Night With Seth Meyers.   Representatives for both stars offered no comments to press inquiries.

Sony even canceled the film's slated Xmas day release. Of course Sony only acted AFTER AMC Theaters, Regal Entertainment, Cinemark and Carmike Cinemas – controlling 19,200 screens – and some smaller U.S. chains and Canada's Cineplex Entertainment all canceled bookings.   You might say Sony sought to get ahead of the story since its movie was going down.    An interesting factoid just might be what kind of insurance Sony has that just might cover its financial losses.

And it appears the movie operators basically reacted to pressure the mall operators concerned that fear about safety at the Multiplexes there could effectively end the holiday shopping season.

Then we learn that American intelligence officials concluded that the North Korean government was centrally involved with the attacks on Sony's computers.

The film cost $45 million and promotion another $35 million.

The entire episode raises two questions. First ought we to succumb to fear and shut down in the face of threats to inflict another 9/11 as many celebrate Xmas and others take the day to gather with friends, take in a movie and eat Chinese food. Or should we stand tall. Threats real or imagined and a clear inability to guarantee safety led to the shutdowns. On the other hand, we continue to work and play and follow out daily routines; when does a threat mean we stand down?

The other question involves judgment and taste, and perhaps the lack thereof. Others in Hollywood question – at least now – the Sony decision to make the film. They note the incendiary topic of killing off a real live world leader and the lack of taste of the filmmakers' previous movies. Of course none of these industry talking heads raised an objection during the development and making of the incendiary film.

So maybe the real story involves not the invasion of data.  I look forward to Raj Goel's comments and insights here.  Maybe the breach occurred because Sony just failed to invest the resources necessary to protect itself and its employees.

Perhaps the real story is the dumbing down of Hollywood fare. For the longest time, Cable has offered most of the arty and quality entertainment. Maybe Hollywood needs some introspection here.

At the same down, it still bothers me how everyone stood down and played scared. Perhaps no other choice existed. Perhaps the film's producers including its star, Mr. Rogen, acted irresponsibly. Ditto Sony.

At the end of the day, Sony and the film garnered mucho p.r. But questions remain if this film will see the light of day.  Maybe no DVD or netflix release either.

Weigh in. The Public Ought To Know.

And thank you Ben Geizhals for ceding the space to me.