The TSA had been testing backscatter X-ray machines which shoot low levels of radiation through passengers' bodies at several airports when the latest wrinkle in the machines' ability came to light.

Backscatter X-ray devices, unlike conventional airport X-ray devices, are capable of detecting ceramic knives, plastic weapons, copies of the Constitution and other contraband.

Controversy was generated late last year when it was discovered that the images produced by the backscatter devices showed the outline of women's bodies beneath their clothing.

Controversy re-flared a few weeks later when seventeen CD's containing photos of women who had passed through the X-ray machines at Tortuga Airport in suburban Cleveland were found for sale on a rack in an airport coffee shop. The photos were being marketed under the title "Under Tortuga: The Women Down At The Airport".

Authorities with the TSA said at the time that the machines would be physically altered to prevent the images being saved to CD.

Controversy exploded in white-hot hail of glowing shrapnel several hours later when it was discovered that the photos of women were being emailed to Mrs. Florence Klinckenhoven's first grade class at The Friendship School in suburban Westminster, Iowa.

Officials with the TSA insisted that the backscatter machines would be beaten with sticks until they stopped embarrassing officials with the TSA.

The latest controversy erupted Thursday like an immense, unimaginably powerful fire-breathing worm with lasers for eyeballs breaking through the surface of a city street when a TSA agent at MacGillicuddie Airport in suburban Flankstrough, Missouri noticed that the backscatter X-ray images also appeared to penetrate the clothing of male passengers (click image). "It sure shows what you might be packing," the unidentified agent said.

"This sock thing is embarrassing," said TSA spokesperson Felix Veritite. He added, "Up until now, we never looked at the guys."

Officials at the TSA have issued lottery tickets to all employees with the prize being the privilege of pushing their airport's backscatter X-ray devices off of a very high building on the airport grounds.