Stimulus for government mascots!

Back in 2006, I poked fun at silly government agency websites for kids (here, here, and here), which included feature lovable mascots such as Rex the "flashlight-toting mountain lion" from the Department of Homeland Security, the NSA's Crypto Kids team (including Crypto Cat and Decipher Dog), and Thermy the Thermometer (my personal favorite):

I was therefore very excited to learn that stimulus money is being spent on giant wacky mascot costumes and robots:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has spent $51,500 of stimulus money on nine mascot costumes and robots, including Bobber the Water Safety Dog, Coastie the Water Safety Education Seaboat and Seamoor the Sea Serpent Robot.

Here's Bobber in costume form (he also has cartoons!):

And here's Seamoor, who you can buy for yourself for just $9,995 (I can't find Coastie!):

Economists: What's the multiplier on a giant water safety dog?

Update 8/3 1:52: Ace commenter JP has found Coastie!

It turns out you can also buy Coastie for $9,997 from the same company that sells Seamoor. I know what my kids are getting for Christmas...

Update 8/3 2:31 PM: Commenter Rob waxes poetic on the melancholy of Coastie in Obama's America:

Coastie ends his song on such a melancholy musical phrase, one can't help wondering about his mental health. His upbeat admonitions to wear a PFD and under no circumstances to sit on the bow are replaced by a mournful repetition of who he is, a cri de coeur bespeaking his deteriorating sense of self, his acknowledgment of the futility of his enterprise and yes, his desperation in the face of an uncaring universe. Far from being stimulated by the stimulus, he is deadened and hollow and sadly in need of a spiritual refitting. As Coastie motors off into the dark night of the soul, he serves as a fitting symbol of the national malaise and of how Hope has transmuted to hopelessness.

Comments

[Rob]

If Government spends tens of thousands of dollars on giant blow-up dolls, there's bound to be inflation.

[JP]

I found Coastie for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmC1dSOCJ08

[Rob]

Coastie ends his song on such a melancholy musical phrase, one can't help wondering about his mental health. His upbeat admonitions to wear a PFD and under no circumstances to sit on the bow are replaced by a mournful repetition of who he is, a cri de coeur bespeaking his deteriorating sense of self, his acknowledgment of the futility of his enterprise and yes, his desperation in the face of an uncaring universe. Far from being stimulated by the stimulus, he is deadened and hollow and sadly in need of a spiritual refitting. As Coastie motors off into the dark night of the soul, he serves as a fitting symbol of the national malaise and of how Hope has transmuted to hopelessness.

[JP]

Ok, I just want to check in that everyone saw the video "Coastie's First Rescue"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWFoYtj0rGA