Ever since the Pet Rock craze of the 1970's (OK, probably long before then, but my age limits my scope of history to draw upon) Americans have shown an overwhelming ability to capitalize on a social issue, hot topic or trend and turn it into a fast buck. This latest bit of entrepreneurial genius has me smiling.

You might have heard of a little company called 4th Amendment Wear. If you haven't, here's the skinny: In response to the full body scanners implemented by the TSA a while back, an innovative soul designed undergarments that could block your friendly airport screener from screening your most private of parts.

Though I'm not entirely sure how they work, it has something to do with a metallic substance that blocks the scanner from seeing what is underneath. As someone who used to travel a lot in my former career, I can certainly appreciate an innovation such as this. After all, if removing your belt and your shoes felt like an indignity, having two or three complete strangers inspecting your ... how do I put this delicately ... carry-on luggage, just seems like too much.

Fear not, the good folks at 4th Amendment Wear have not only designed underwear to keep your privates private, they have now taken it a step further. If you are going to charge as much as $45 a pair, these better be some fancy drawers, and they are.

Now, your boxers, briefs, T-shirt, panties, even your bra come with a message for the eager-eyed screened at the airport. When the aforementioned TSA employee casts a gaze downward in the name of national security, he will be greeted not by a clear view of your business, but by the entire fourth amendment spelled out on your nether regions. Utilizing the same special paint, the words are added to the clothing and when it appears on the screen, it is a bright, metallic message. Brilliant. Purely brilliant.

If you are wondering (as I was) how you can fit the entire fourth amendment on a bra, unless you are Dolly Parton, you can't. For the rest of you, the brassieres are emblazoned with a nifty little circular logo positioned in just the right spot to insure your privacy from the peeping screener.

Should you be wondering if anyone is actually buying into this, I tried to nail down the price of the bra, only to find out it is currently sold out on the company's Web site. (Some additional research reveled it is sold as a matching set for $35).

Possibly my favorite design of them all, is the line of kids' wear. You will recall, much ado was made about sex offenders, deviants and malcontents lining up in droves to apply for a job with the TSA so they could enjoy the occasional scan of a child's body. At least that was what the opposition groups shouted from the rooftops.

Well, if this catches on, the deviants will be sorely disappointed. With one click of your mouse you can now purchase a kids' tee that will greet the TSA agent with the message: "Read the Fourth Amendment ... PERVERT.

The company even offers socks, though for the life of me, and after an inordinate amount of my time spent thinking about it, I can't figure out why. Unless you have breasts on your feet, I say they can look all they want. Especially since a pair of basic white socks will set you back 25 bucks.

I'm all for the people revolting against the government. Whether it be the militia groups in Michigan, Wesley Snipes refusing to pay his taxes, or the guys who now make metal underwear, I say good for them all.

As for me, seeing as a live on the salary of a newspaper reporter, I think I will take a pass on the $35 underwear and take my chances that when I pass through the full-body scan, the screeners can at least stifle their laughter until I'm around the corner and on the way to my gate.