'If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want.' And your point is ...?

Movie star Jackie Chan has raised some eyebrows with comments he's supposed to have made during a speech to Hainan business leaders the other day.

To be precise:

I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also very chaotic.

I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want.

Let's be real: Freedom indeed is a chaotic thing. Anytime you have free will and billions of people, things can get messy. That's why it's helpful to have something in place along the lines of the Zero Aggression Principle.

But control, along the lines Chan seems to be advocating, is aggression. I read elsewhere that Chan opposed the brutal crackdown at Tiananmen Square in 1989, but he seems to have made peace with his inner tyrant. That's unfortunate.

Jackie Chan has enjoyed the benefits of freedom and free markets. But like all fools and tyrants, he expresses sincere concern whether other people can be trusted to handle such bounty.

Here is where such fools and tyrants stumble: In truth, we were all born free. The Zero Aggression Principle — "No human being has the right - under any circumstances - to initiate force against another human being, nor to threaten or delegate its initiation" — speaks to our instincts that we are each entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The troubles begin when fools and tyrants attempt to impose external controls. For someone like Chan, who commands respect and admiration, to advocate for tyranny is tragic.

But fame and notoriety do not make one wise. Jackie Chan is not the first respected and admired person to speak utter falsehood, and he will not be the last. The truth is still the truth.

Thankfully, Chan at least confessed the obvious: He is really confused.