It seems a new recurring theme is developing on my blog. It can best be described as the Year of the World Leader. In the last two months, I have already blogged about Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s plastic surgery scandal where he allegedly funded the plastic surgery operations for many of the underage prostitutes at his Bunga Bunga parties. I have also written about Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi’s eccentric plastic surgery where he stopped the doctor mid-procedure in order to eat a hamburger. Now it seems we have another world leader who wants to enter the fray.
Last month, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez went on a televised rant condemning all things related to breast augmentation. Yes, that’s right. With all of the serious problems going on around the world, President Chavez chose to use his TV time to rip plastic surgeons a new one and make breast augmentation Public Enemy #1 in Venezuela.
Chavez called Venezuela’s breast augmentation addiction “monstrous.” He places the blame largely with plastic surgeons who “convince some women that if they don’t have some big bosoms, they should feel bad.” He even went as far as to claim that breast implants are a gateway to early pregnancy and drug addiction.
I’d like to say I’m shocked by these comments, but the political cynic in me forces me to realize that this is simply par for the course. Is taking a stand on breast augmentation that much different than the U.S. Congress ignoring important issues with our flailing economy to take on steroids in baseball? Or the shame Berlusconi has heaped on the Italian nation by paying for teenage prostitution? Clearly, the priorities of political leaders are completely out of whack. This is just another example of the unfortunate fact that power is most often wasted on the worthless.
Needless to say, this tirade didn’t endear Chavez to his people. There are between 30,000 and 40,000 breast augmentation procedures performed in Venezuela every year. Billboards regularly advertise bank loans for breast augmentation, and last year a political candidate for the National Assembly even tried to raise money for his campaign by raffling off a breast lift. Clearly, Venezuelans love their silicone.
One Venezuelan newspaper, El Nacional, blasted Chavez’s remarks: “Now comes this antiquated, militaristic, coarse, repressive attitude on the freedom of women to do what they want with their bodies.” It seems that political controversy is brewing in Venezuela, and it is all due to a bunch of boob jobs. Wouldn’t it be ironic if this was the central issue that prevents Chavez from getting reelected next time he runs for office? Never underestimate the power of the boob.
If you disagree with President Hugo Chavez and would like more information about this “monstrous” procedure which may lead you on the path to pregnancy and rehab, please contact an experienced plastic surgeon to schedule your initial consultation.
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