First air travel took our free checked luggage, then they took our free snacks, and now security for these airports will probably take our last shred of dignity and decency. Nudie X-ray scanners are coming!

New state of the art digital imaging scanners used to detect weapons have made their way to airports all over the United States. Right now they are in use for random passenger screenings in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Denver, Albuquerque, and New York's JFK. Good thing they got Albuquerque in there. Plus 10 more airports including DC, Vegas, and Dallas will begin using them this month.

Using millimeter waves to bounce off selected passengers in a glass screening booth, the device is able to see through all clothing and perfectly illustrate a person's breasts and genitals. The new scanner is capable of getting a lot more detailed than the picture to the left, but officials will not release examples of it.

Speaking of that picture, was this image taken mid-flatulence or mid-urination? Either way, gross.

Many privacy groups are up in arms about this invasion of personal space, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is saying all faces will be blurred while viewing images and nothing can be saved or printed from the machines after the passenger has cleared security. Yeah, right! - "Supermodels, sorry to bug you, but could you walk through a few more times for me, please. Just following protocol here."

The reason for these new devices is to detect plastic and ceramic weapons that pass through standard metal detectors. The Pottery Class murderer's days are numbered.

After that woman was forced to remove her nipple rings with a pair of pliers during a security screening, I had a feeling we would be in for some updated technology. In my opinion, airport security just got 20 times sexier.

Engadget: Scanners See Through Clothes, June 6, 2008

AP: See Through Scanners Installed at 10 Airport, June 10, 2008

This might be a great potential investment given the growing trend among wealthy vacationers. It could also be a top spot for you vacation, if you're into the naked old people thing.

The photo pictured is a perfect example of the uncomfortable nude shenanigans I am inclined to want to avoid. (Cannon-balls!) However, according to an article in Sunday's New York Times, these places are where the big vacation money is going:

The real boom in nude vacations is coming at the high end, as upscale hotels and resorts have begun seeing the economic potential in the no-clothes crowd. In 2007, nude recreation represented a $440 million industry -- up from $400 million in 2001 -- and it's still growing.

The all inclusive luxury hotel, Hidden Beach Resort, in Mexico along the Mayan Riviera charges $300 per person. Which sounds like a good deal, but when we're talking about nude hotels, how inclusive does that go? Apparently it also includes nude dining, nude open bars, and nude games of tennis and volleyball. Nothing beats dipping your balls in a stiff cocktail after a sweaty game of nude tennis.

Now that all sounds great and gross and everything, but with the current real estate market where it is, is investing in new luxury nude condos the way to go? The reason these new resorts are doing so well is because of the clientèle they attract. Most nude-cationers earn over $100k, drive a luxury car, and spent over $3,000 on travel. Many of these spas and resorts have no problem filling rooms priced from $300 to $900 a night. Those are some attractively financed individuals. The problem for the rest of us is that those people very rarely tend to be attractive.

This is a great little vacation for anyone out there with these 'liquid asset', but they must not being going there looking to see unwrinkled young nude people. All butlers, wait staff, and guest relations personnel are under a strict very formal dress code.

Fun Fact: According to the article in the NY Times, both founding father Ben Franklin and famous transcendental author Henry David Thoreau enjoyed naked walks in the woods, which they referred to as 'air baths'. I believe there are some parts of Europe where air baths are referred to as 'regular baths'.

Although this might not be your ideal vacation, it might be a good potential investment to look into. Or at least read about, without any unnecessary photographic evidence.

Let us know in the comments section if you've ever been to one of these places and if they're decent. Otherwise feel free to voice your disgust at the accompanying slideshow.

New York Times: No Shirt, No Shoes, No Worries, April 27, 2008