The Interview, Free Speech, Bullying, and The Code

There is a great controversy now because N. Korea has apparently hacked the Sony website, revealed personal emails, intimidated Sony and theaters into not releasing the movie The Interview. They did this because the film is disrespectful of the North Korean President.  This is a major international problem – more than free speech, including ultimately national security. We are not going to discuss the political challenges. However, in this country we are used to making fun of political leaders – is that right? What are the limits of free speech? When does good-natured fun and joking become abusive bullying? We all say things to our friends about others that we would not want repeated, but what can we do to become more responsible individuals? What do you do when you hear inappropriate things said? What can you do?