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Chavez rails at teenage breast implants gift fad
Reuters ^ | September 24, 2007 | Saul Hudson

Posted on 09/25/2007 3:49:57 PM PDT by presidio9

President Hugo Chavez railed against a new trend in beauty-conscious Venezuela, giving girls breast implants for their 15th birthday.

"Now some people think, 'My daughter's turning 15, let's give her breast enlargements.' That's horrible. It's the ultimate degeneration," Chavez said late on Sunday on his weekly TV show that lasted a record eight hours.

Venezuela is well known for its beauty queens, who have regularly won world crowns, and many women have plastic surgery in the oil-rich country where there is widespread spending on consumer items that would be considered luxuries elsewhere.

But Chavez, the anti-U.S., self-styled revolutionary who came to office in 1999, is seeking to change those attitudes to create what he calls the "new man" to build a socialist society in this South American nation.

Chavez complained about the new fad of giving the plastic surgery operation at 15 -- when Latin Americans celebrate a girl's coming-of-age -- during a diatribe against what he says are Western-imposed consumerist icons such as Barbie dolls.

While breast implants are advertised on TV and banks offer special credit lines for such operations, if girls do get the enlargements they are not expected to become sexually active afterward.

Venezuelans' have a habit of avid consumerism since the 1970s oil boom in the OPEC nation. They have won the nickname of the "Give-Me-Twos" in the tourist destination of Florida for buying double the amount of typical consumers.

Breast implants cost thousands of dollars in Venezuela.

Chavez's answer? He has told his supporters to give away any extra goods they do not need, urging them to leave out in town squares items such as fans or refrigerators.

"I am calling on your conscience, fathers of this country, mothers of this country, they are our sons, they are our daughters," Chavez said.

Still, Chavez, who happily describes himself as ugly, may struggle to change Venezuelans' mind-set to spending on plastic surgery.

In elevators, at huge, jam-packed shopping malls, women can be overheard openly boasting about their recent, conspicuous operations.

(Additional reporting by Patricia Rondon)


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: stoppedclock

1 posted on 09/25/2007 3:49:58 PM PDT by presidio9
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To: presidio9

Why not...? They (and not only Venezuelans) put earrings on their girls, when they’re babies.


2 posted on 09/25/2007 3:52:39 PM PDT by familyop
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To: presidio9

Latina boppers.


3 posted on 09/25/2007 3:52:47 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Greed is NOT a conservative ideal.)
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To: familyop

Are you comparing earings to breast implants?


4 posted on 09/25/2007 3:54:36 PM PDT by LongElegantLegs ("What quails?" asked Jack)
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To: presidio9
Well, at least he's right on one issue.  Though, I'm not sure I make the connection between breast implants and giving away an old fridge.

Maybe he could encourage citizens to leave their old wine and milk receptacles in the town squares instead.  A "turn in your jugs" program, if you will.
5 posted on 09/25/2007 3:57:14 PM PDT by GOPmember
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To: presidio9

It’s the first thing he’s ever said that I’ve agreed with.


6 posted on 09/25/2007 3:58:50 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: LongElegantLegs

It was a sarcastic joke. I lived in an American community where earrings on kids and organized crime were common.


7 posted on 09/25/2007 3:59:12 PM PDT by familyop
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To: Cicero

Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in awhile.


8 posted on 09/25/2007 3:59:58 PM PDT by Argus ("Don't Tase me bro!")
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To: presidio9

The most interesting part of this story is how Reuters is trying to imply that Venezuela is like the oil rich kingdoms of the middle east. See? Everyone’s all nice and rich and happy - please don’t pay attention to the Africaesque situation where a treasured few rule through a dictator over the vast majority.


9 posted on 09/25/2007 4:00:53 PM PDT by kingu (No, I don't use sarcasm tags - it confuses people.)
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To: cripplecreek
As I noted on another thread, I have to agree. I am opposed to breast implants except in the case of breast cancer, a severe accident, or a terrible genetic or birth defect, like one that causes a female to grow only small breasts at puberty.
10 posted on 09/25/2007 4:00:58 PM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Kol Hakavod Fred Thompson)
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To: presidio9

In this case it’s good they’re “Give-me-twos”


11 posted on 09/25/2007 4:01:02 PM PDT by Irxfxs
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To: presidio9

He should rail against the gift of alteration that Muslims give their little girls.


12 posted on 09/25/2007 4:02:20 PM PDT by pianomikey (Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. -Reagan)
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To: presidio9


NO ONE in Venezuela will have bigger breasts than me!

13 posted on 09/25/2007 4:08:10 PM PDT by uglybiker (relaxing in a luxuriant cloud of quality, aromatic, pre-owned tobacco essence)
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To: Cicero
"It’s the first thing he’s ever said that I’ve agreed with."

And of course he's right. 15 years old is way too young and shouldn't be condoned.

Now, if an adult want to do that... It's another matter.

My wife's been talking about it for years and, if it is going to make her happy, I'm pleased to support her.

Insurance doesn't reimburse for cosmetic surgery, unfortunately.

She's going to have her left breast enlarged this fall.

Then, if she's happy with the results, we can talk about having the other one done maybe sometime next year.

Around tax refund time, perhaps. We'll see how it goes.

14 posted on 09/25/2007 4:08:13 PM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: presidio9

I actually agree with him on this one. It’s a sickness.


15 posted on 09/25/2007 4:08:33 PM PDT by ItisaReligionofPeace
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To: presidio9
That's horrible. It's the ultimate degeneration," Chavez said...

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

16 posted on 09/25/2007 4:14:13 PM PDT by rfp1234 (Nothing is better than eternal happiness. A ham sandwich is better than nothing. Therefore...)
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To: billorites
I'm pleased to support her

teehee

17 posted on 09/25/2007 4:15:11 PM PDT by pianomikey (Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. -Reagan)
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To: presidio9
This thread is usless without pictures.

Just something to chew on.

18 posted on 09/25/2007 4:15:53 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: presidio9

Well, it’s his broken clock moment. But Chavez’ Sunday morning show? A record 8 hours blathering on. He’s railed against the Church he used to get elected (remember how he tried to buy his citizens’ votes with his I’m a good Catholic shtick?). Now he has his own TV show airing Sundays? Someone thinks he’s their god...


19 posted on 09/25/2007 4:16:11 PM PDT by fortunecookie (Finally catching up with posting...)
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To: presidio9

no, really?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901379/posts


20 posted on 09/25/2007 4:21:15 PM PDT by xcamel (FDT/2008)
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To: presidio9

“...he says are Western-imposed consumerist icons such as Barbie dolls.”

Sorry Hugo babe. The engorged-chest ideal became a latin
icon without poor maligned Barbie’s influence.

But true enough 15 y.o. is far too young for procedures as risky as this.


21 posted on 09/25/2007 4:22:21 PM PDT by biscuit jane
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To: fortunecookie

Hugo will continue his blathering until he is assasinated.


22 posted on 09/25/2007 4:25:34 PM PDT by biscuit jane
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To: presidio9
I worked with a gal who said her boyfriend wanted her to get fake tits installed. I told her to tell him that she would only if he got a penis implant first.

She told me that he never asked about the fake boobs again.

Just say no to fake tits.

23 posted on 09/25/2007 4:29:26 PM PDT by csvset
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To: billorites

You’re joking, right? You’re going to LET her get ONE enlarged...and then MAYBE the other...MAYBE next year? You’re just kidding us, right?


24 posted on 09/25/2007 4:29:42 PM PDT by Hildy ("man's reach exceeds his grasp"? It's a lie: man's grasp exceeds his nerve.)
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To: biscuit jane
Hugo will continue his blathering until he is assasinated.

Well, one can hope they succeed in ousting him somehow. ;-)

What torture that show must be for the consumer minded, cosmopolitan Venezuelans, his blathering Sunday show. He can't turn back the clock so easily and pretend it's 50's era Cuba all over again - targeted for commie takeover, in a time before internet and cellphones and boutique shopping - and plastic surgery. Oh, he'll try.

Until then, it's full speed ahead with his el presidente-for-life socialist agenda. Ugh.

25 posted on 09/25/2007 4:32:28 PM PDT by fortunecookie (Finally catching up with posting...)
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To: fortunecookie

He can’t turn back the clock so easily
-
hehe that’s why he wants to move it forward 1/2 an hour


26 posted on 09/25/2007 4:39:32 PM PDT by ari-freedom (I am for traditional moral values, a strong national defense, and free markets.)
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To: csvset
Just say no to fake tits.

Uh, the preferred and polite nomenclature is "fake breasticles."

27 posted on 09/25/2007 4:46:25 PM PDT by pianomikey (Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. -Reagan)
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To: ari-freedom
He can’t turn back the clock so easily - hehe that’s why he wants to move it forward 1/2 an hour

Yeah, I can see that. He does seem almost frantic, or urgent.

I know he sort of fooled people into choosing him, ie his 'good' Catholic act, reforms, etc, but who are the Venezualans who elected him? Surely they don't want to give up their lifestyle of boutiques and plastic surgery and cell phones and shopping in Miami for what Castro has done to Cuba?

28 posted on 09/25/2007 5:03:58 PM PDT by fortunecookie (Finally catching up with posting...)
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To: tet68

I always got plenty of time to chew the fat!

;^)


29 posted on 09/25/2007 5:12:00 PM PDT by elcid1970
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To: rfp1234

Wowser, talk about implants!

I don't think I even have to ask my wife about this...

30 posted on 09/25/2007 5:53:35 PM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: biscuit jane

Your man will love you more!

31 posted on 09/25/2007 6:01:31 PM PDT by BurbankKarl
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To: pandoraou812

Look, pandy. Another boob thread. lol


32 posted on 09/25/2007 6:09:15 PM PDT by TigersEye (Dont' taze me, Bro!)
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To: TigersEye

More boobs? I am so happy with mine I just can’t comment. EFG!


33 posted on 09/25/2007 6:11:14 PM PDT by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah ...... dilligaf? with an efg.....)
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To: pandoraou812

That’s great! Is he home from work yet?


34 posted on 09/25/2007 6:13:04 PM PDT by TigersEye (Dont' taze me, Bro!)
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To: TigersEye

Yes he is...roflmao I meant my own boobs. After reading the other thread I’ve decided I like mine just fine. No reductions or implants just plain old me is just fine. ~P~


35 posted on 09/25/2007 6:16:02 PM PDT by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah ...... dilligaf? with an efg.....)
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To: familyop

I grew up in a family that considered pierced ears to be slutty.


36 posted on 09/25/2007 6:17:07 PM PDT by mamelukesabre
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To: presidio9

Shouldn’t they at least wait untill the girl is old enough that her boobs have stopped growing? What if a 15 year old gets implants and then her boobs get so big she has to have them reduced?


37 posted on 09/25/2007 6:20:20 PM PDT by mamelukesabre
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To: pandoraou812

Oops, I’m sorry. That was mean of me.


38 posted on 09/25/2007 6:24:48 PM PDT by TigersEye (Dont' taze me, Bro!)
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To: TigersEye

No just very funny & true ...~P~


39 posted on 09/26/2007 4:48:10 AM PDT by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah ...... dilligaf? with an efg.....)
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To: presidio9

“Hooters makes you happy....”


40 posted on 09/26/2007 4:50:11 AM PDT by RichInOC (No! BAD Rich!)
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To: fortunecookie

“but who are the Venezualans who elected him? Surely they don’t want to give up their lifestyle of boutiques and plastic surgery and cell phones and shopping in Miami for what Castro has done to Cuba?”

Those are the ones that voted against him. Many have left, I imagine any who have mobile assets and aren’t tied to something they cannot simply leave, or sell at this point.


41 posted on 10/10/2007 6:26:56 AM PDT by WoofDog123
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