[uxp]

I somewhat feel for many of the theater owners in this case. After the Dark Knight, some tried to sue the theater because they "didn't prevent it" from happening, so something like that. The theater's defense was that they had no prior knowledge. With our litigious nature here in the US, having a vague threat that the theater might be attacked, they could lose that defense.

I agree with your premise though: there is no possible way for society to have absolute certainty of the validity of something so vague as the threats issued. To cave to those demands is absurd.

(full disclosure: I work for a company that owns a large number of theater screens, though not within that department. These are my personal views.)