Flatulent federal worker prompts potty humor Talking about making a stink. A Life Inc. story about a Social Security Administration worker who was reprimanded after "passing gas and releasing an unpleasant odor" - and then had his reprimand rescinded - bought out the schoolyard humor in hundreds of Life Inc. readers this week. The worker had been officially charged with conduct unbecoming a federal employee because he repeatedly passed gas. Senior officials eventually heard about the charge and rescinded it. After reading the story, many readers couldn't resist a little potty humor. I don't know... Something smells funny about this story," one reader wrote. Another reader wondered if it was all just a bunch of "hot air." Others speculated, tongue in cheek, over whether women really do something as unpleasant as pass gas. A few conceded that that they too had suffered from the same problem as a result of medical conditions. The federal employee who was reprimanded had told management he was lactose intolerant. "I can laugh at this, but I feel for the guy," one reader wrote. He described struggling with the same problem after having gastric bypass surgery. It's very embarrassing. I am glad I have my own office now," he said. Many readers took a more serious tack, complaining about co-workers who really make a stink. But one reader who also suffers from a medical condition wrote to thank the hundreds of people who kept the comments light, and humorous. I've got to thank all of you!!! I usually get anxious getting ready to go for my chemo and play on the computer or read a few news items to just relax before I have to leave. Today I can't stop laughing and haven't had this much fun in a long time. I just have to say, you are some pretty creative people out there. A big Thanks," the reader wrote.