Czech PM: Obama Criticism Inspired By Rock Concert

The prime minister of the Czech Republic says it could have been his taste for the rock group AC/DC -- not his study of economics -- that inspired him to describe President Barack Obama's nearly $2 trillion economic plan as "the road to hell."

"Last week, AC/DC played the Czech Republic," Mirek Topolanek told the Lidove Noviny daily newspaper Friday. "And their cult song 'Highway to Hell' may have influenced me to use, in my very improvised speech, 'the road to hell.'"

A week after seeing the Australian band, Topolanek departed from his prepared text in a speech Wednesday before the European Parliament, which included the phrase "the road to destruction" -- substituting instead the controversial phrase.

Trying to explain the remarks, his spokesman, Jiri Frantisek Potuznik, said Friday that Topolanek merely meant to warn U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner against taking "permanent action" that would damage the free market.

Topolanek may get a chance to elaborate on what he meant. Obama visits Prague April 4 and 5.

But the outburst highlighted differences between the U.S. and Europe over the recovery with the 27-nation bloc bristling over from U.S. criticism that it is not spending enough to stimulate demand.

Still, European politicians went into damage control mode, with some reproaching the Czech leader for his language and others reaffirming their good diplomatic ties with the United States.

Topolanek comments Wednesday came a day after he was ousted by his own parliament. The Czech Republic currently holds the six-month rotating EU presidency but its leadership is in question, with Topolanek hanging on to a caretaker government at home after losing a "no confidence" Tuesday.

Europeans leaders hope the new U.S. administration will agree with them on tightening oversight over the global financial system -- which they see as crucial to fixing the global economy.

Instead, the United States is focusing its efforts on economic stimulus and plans to spend heavily to try and lift itself out of recession with a $787 billion plan of tax rebates, health and welfare benefits, as well as extra energy and infrastructure spending.

Comments

[dnddays]

lol Angus Young in the schoolboy outfit. Dude, it's time to let it go. As for a "Highway to Hell"? We just got off that road, it was called Bush 43.

[WorldsGreatestActor]

Right on! It sure beats foreign policy agendas predicated on the ability to see Russia from your back yard...

[BMBTHC]

I would have been really impressed if he had quoted "Downpayment Blues" from Powerage.

[Telemachus]

How about "dirty deeds, done dirt cheap"?

[bubbuh]

His fellow Czech's have bounced him. He can go AC/DC all of the day and all night long. Topolanek should be relieved.

[sansego2000]

Maybe he would change his tune without any aid from the U.S. Since we are in financial crisis, maybe we should just cut him off, we could use the money.. Maybe we should not put in for a good word for them trying to get into NATO. His spokesman was trying to clean up his bosses big mouth, with a statement that made no sense. His spokesman knew his boss made a mistake. Never bite the hand that helps you.

[hip dibler]

a "cult" song?

wtf?

[bubbuh]

Welcome to the rest of the world.

[greg32]

Hooray for Topolanek!

[dcjdjay]

Europe's level of government spending is already very high. So, except for a few economies like Ireland and Spain where a real estate bubble burst, other countries are relatively stable. Yes, unemployment in places like Germany is at an all-time high, but the Europeans have incredible social safety nets that we in the US lack. When our people lose their jobs and their homes and their livelihood, they are truly out in the streets, quite unlike Europe. Maybe this loudmouth of a Czech PM needs to understand that fact.

Besides, the Europeans know only too well that they too will benefit from the US stimulus plan. Many European countries have US subsidiaries who will pick up new contracts and the like. So, between their welfare states and our stimulus plan, they don't really have to worry about massive additional government funding. Their citizens are well taken care of, and, thus, there is no public demand for government to further bolster their economies.

[kgb999]

It was teh rock music what done it ... that devil music can make you CRAZY!!!!

Think the Czechs are glad they ditched him??

[Malkin71]

The Czech PM has Big Balls, he's really playing with TNT here. Now that we have elected Barack Obama, America is Back in Black.

[SaltySaltillo]

And we thought our national politicians were knuckleheads.

[buggey]

DAMAGE CONTROL MODE!
They had to clean up that remark by Topolanek. Other Countries did not say such harsh things againt Bush and Cheney. They were scared of them because they were crazy. No respect now for the new President, because of the color of his skin. When times get better, America will remember.

[SeymourButz]

you're reading too much into this.

[roblabrousse]

Andy exactly how much of a geopolitical power is Czech Republic ?

[CBone]

I agree with this. Europeans like to think of themselves as progressive, but really are not. I think there is a lot of Euro-racism at work here.

[MajorKong]

I'm probably the only member of my generation that never liked AC/DC. Brian Johnson's voice was always like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

[Telemachus]

You're not alone.

Aw, geez, did I just quote Glenn Beck without meaning to? Sorry ... sorry ... ;)

[barackobama4prez]

maybe he was outsted because he was going to go rogue.

[barackobama4prez]

"ousted"

[Rog49Thomas]

Well, shows what I know.

I would have figured that he followed Sekhmet or Kroda.