Jackie Chan - Triggered Fury

Jackie Chan is in deep shit for making comments that had created yet another storm.

We still remember how he got into trouble in 2004 when he described the Taiwanese presidential election as the “biggest joke in the world”. Jackie also once told the forum he would not buy a television made in China because he was afraid it might explode. Instead, he said, he would buy one from Japan.

This time, Jackie attended a business forum in Hainan and was quoted as saying the following statement,

"I don't know whether it is better to have freedom or to have no freedom... With too much freedom ... it can get very chaotic, could end up like in Hong Kong or like in Taiwan... I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled."

His comments were applauded by the Chinese audience but did not sit well with the lawmakers in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Negative reactions and commentaries have since been flying round criticising Jackie for lack of knowledge on the current China's situation and ignorant of democracy as well as the rule of law. Some even accused him for basing his statement on the discriminatory view that Chinese people cannot manage themselves and is built on the idea that Chinese are like a herd of sheep that lack self-discipline and self-restraint. How on earth could people put words into one's mouth just like that?

Obviously, he’s entitled to his opinion. I agree that having super-star status should make people more cautious of what ideas they are promoting.

Why do people insist on taking actors’ political statements seriously? Most actors never even finished high school. People with very different backgrounds tend to have outlandish opinions...at least in my experience... You can tell by the wording Jackie used that he is not exactly a super intellectual thinker. The man is a genius at stunts.

I respect his work and the career he has forged through decades of blood, sweat, tears and many, many broken bones. He has been very active in many charities, and he has given away millions of dollars, mostly to children’s causes.

So, give that man some breathing space. Let's not have Barack Obama jumping out of burning buildings, and let's not take Jackie Chan seriously when it comes to political rhetoric.