WATCH: FULL Obama 'FLACCO' Speech HERE UPDATE: James Franco Thanks ‘President Obacco’ for Saving The Interview "CELEBRATING!!!!! "The Interview" starring Seth Rogen and James Flacco saved by President Obacco! I MEAN PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!! Sorry!!! ". (Now Watch on Google Play, YouTube Movies, Xbox, seetheinterview.com) White House Press Conference 12/19/2014, President Obama says North Korea hacked Sony, vows response “We cannot have a society in which some dictator some place can start imposing censorship here in the United States. Because if somebody is able to intimidate folks out of releasing a movie, imagine what they start doing when they see a documentary that they don’t like or news reports that they don’t like. Or even worse, imagine if producers and distributors and others start engaging in self-censorship because they don’t want to offend the sensibilities of somebody’s sensibilities who probably need to be offended.” and Obama Calls James Franco James Flacco (full). Seth Rogen, James Franco, also calls reporters not on Earnest's list 'Naughty' OBAMA: Sony Made 'A Mistake' By Canceling 'The Interview' (Business Insider) President Barack Obama held his year-end press conference on Friday afternoon and said he believed Sony made a "mistake" by cancelling the release of "The Interview" in the wake of a hack that has been linked to North Korea. "I am sympathetic to the concerns they faced," said Obama who noted the company faced "significant damage" from the hack. "Having said all that, I think they made a mistake." This was the first time Obama publicly weighed in on the Sony hack, which the FBI linked to North Korea on Friday morning. The hackers released statements saying the objected to the portrayal of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the movie. "I wish they had spoken to me first," Obama said of Sony. "I would have told them do not get into a pattern where your intimidated by these kinds of criminal attacks." He discouraged other company's facing similar threats from caving to that pressure. "Let's not get into that way of doing business," said Obama. Obama was also asked if he would watch the film. "I've got a long list of movies I'm going to be watching," Obama said. "I never release my full movie list." Obama, who noted he "liked" the stars of "The Interview," James Franco and Seth Rogen, said the fact North Korea was concerned about a "satirical" film is telling about the state of Kim Jong Un's regime. The president said America would "respond" to the hack, which he confirmed was linked to North Korea. He said the US would respond "proportionately," but noted he would not "announce" what this response would be "at a press conference." Obama predicted tax reform will occur in the new Congress. He described it as "one area where we can get things done." Obama also reiterated his opposition to corporate tax loopholes and inversions. "We think it's important that everybody pays something if they are, in fact, effectively headquartered in the United States," said Obama. He indicated Republicans "share" some of these positions. However, he declared, "The devil's in the details." "I'll be interested in seeing what they want to move forward," Obama said. Obama is also expected to discuss the new spending bill and his Cuba policy shift. Before taking questions from reporters, Obama made remarks where he characterized the year as a "breakthrough" one for the country. "In last year's final press conference, I said that 2014 will be a year of action and a breakthrough year for America," said Obama. "It has been." Obama went on to describe signs the economy improved over the past year. He then noted the country's leadership in the effort to fight the jihadist group Islamic State (also known as ISIS), America's opposition to Russian aggression in Ukraine, and work the country has done to fight the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Obama also discussed the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the fact more members of the military would be home this holiday season than in recent years. The president said America has "outperformed" other countries in recovering from the economic crisis of 2008. He also said he hoped to be able to work with the Republican Congress next year. "In terms of my own job, I'm energized. I'm excited about the prospects for the coming years," said Obama, adding, "We are better positioned than we have been in a long time." He said the country is setting the stage for an "American moment." On Friday evening, Obama and his family are traveling to Hawaii for their annual holiday vacation. They are planing to remain their until after the new year.

• published: 19 Dec 2014
• views: 316384