Hugo Chavez disapproves of breast implants

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is not cool with the abundance of fake breasts in his country. In a nation of twenty-eight million people,  about 30,000 to 40,000 women get breast augmentation surgery a year — that's an awful lot of silicone. Chavez called the procedure a "monstrous thing" during a TV appearance this weekend, and said the rates were so high because doctors, "convince some women that if they don't have some big bosoms, they should feel bad".

Of course plastic surgeons are getting all riled up over this. But still it is refreshing to see politicians attack traditional notions of beauty, even if it is the fault of greater social pressures and a youth-obsessed culture, which goes way beyond the doctor's office. Still perhaps the best statement Chavez made was when he said implants "did not square well with revolutionary priorities". This came after he rejected a woman who personally asked him to fund a $7,000 breast lift. Hear that ladies of Venezuela, looks like the best way to support your country is not to support your chest.