In terms of response, DreamWorks gets my thumbs-up and Random House gets my thumbs down.
Interestingly enough, the planned protests of "Tropic Thunder" have largely resulted in identical responses from movie critics, entertainment outlets, and film fans online. I've seen it from movie mavens on both the right and the left. Consensus: support for the film and the idea of freedom of speech, even if some people take offense at what is being said. (Isn't that...kind of...sort of...maybe...the whole point of this particular freedom?) Maybe I'm heartless, but I personally think that if a movie offends you, then don't go see it. That's your right. Boycott to your heart's content. You can even encourage other people not to see it, as long as you let them go see it if that's what they really want to do.
But I don't think an offended person has the right to demand that the moviemakers change the film so that he/she finds it acceptable. I also don't think third parties should get involved, especially if these third parties are supposed to come in on behalf of the offended folks and bash the movie (or book or article or whatever it is). This includes current efforts by offended groups trying to get Congress (yes, the US Congress!) to condemn the movie's (wait for it, here's that PC buzzword!) "hate speech."
(Plus, why so quick to get government involved? The mere idea of government ruling on the social acceptability of words of any kind should have liberty-lovers in a rage.)
Also: have all the protestors even seen the movie (opening today)? Is it really fair to protest one scene of the flick without seeing it in context? Just a thought. The flick is a satire, after all.
I'm off to see the film soon, so I'll report back about the "offensive bits" and all the other bits too.
As for self-censoring, cowering Random House, shame! I've seen more backbone in a jellyfish. A publishing house that's too scared to publish. Pathetic.
UPDATE: Ninme has more -- plus, the Brits pile on as one commentator calls Random House's behavior "pre-emptive grovelling."
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