Wiretap: Like a bad movie, ‘The Interview’ became a matter of national security

It’s like “The Producers” meets “Dr Strangelove.” The hacking of Sony computers began as a movie-studio embarrassment, turned into a gigantic data caper and is now an international affair. Todd Purdum writes in Politico about how a crude Hollywood comedy about assassinating North Korea leader Kim Jong-un turned into a national security issue.

Whatever else “The Interview” is, writes Adrian Hang in the Atlantic, it is not a courageous act of defiance against a dictator.

Fareed Zakaria writes in the Washington Post that America must respond to North Korea.

Colbert Report: The best musical finale ever. In gifs. Via Vox.

Gloria Borger explains the new forceful Obama — less Clark Kent, more Superman. Via CNN.

Krugman on Putin: Macho posturing may make certain Republicans swoon, but it makes for bad economics. Via the New York Times.

Rand Paul is not like everyone else in the potential Republican presidential field: He thinks Obama’s Cuba plan is probably a good idea. Via the National Journal.

Ayn Rand reviews children’s movies. (It’s just as funny as you’d guess.) Via the New Yorker.

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