Obama Cites Boston Marathon Bombing Response When Discussing Sony Hacks
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBS) – During his year-end news conference at the White House, President Barack Obama contrasted Sony Pictures' reaction to recent hacks, to the response in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings.
The FBI announced on Friday that North Korea is believed to be responsible for hacks against Sony that came in response to the planned release of the Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy "The Interview." The comedy is about a plan to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
As a result of threats made against movie theaters showing the film, Sony decided not to open the movie as planned, a move the President criticized Friday.
President Obama said that despite the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, the city of Boston was not intimidated and still ran the marathon the following year. He added that in doing so, the city made the correct decision.
"We can't start changing our patterns of behavior any more than we stop going to a football game because there might be the possibility of a terrorist attack, any more than Boston didn't run its marathon this year because of the possibility that somebody might try to cause harm," Obama said.
In criticizing Sony, Obama added that the company should similarly not back down, releasing The Interview despite the hacks and threats.
"I wish they had spoken to me first," Obama said.
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