why does the DOD need a fairy on a toad's back, anyway?

[kpete]

i love artists & art, but $600,000.00?


A $600,000 frog sculpture that lights up, gurgles "sounds of nature" and carries a 10-foot fairy girl on its back could soon be greeting Defense Department employees who plan to start working at the $700 million Mark Center in Alexandria, Va. this fall.

someone explain WHY this belongs at the DOD?
is it some king of joke - or is this fairy loaded with pixie dust?
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/03/31/pentagon-art-600000-gurgling-toad-sculpture

[panader0]

1. That much money could buy a half a missile!

Seriously, I love art too, but that thing is a weird choice for the DOD and a waste of money.

[jdlh8894]

2. Loaded w/pork--- not pixie dust !

[Angry Dragon]

3. The new military of the future

[kenny blankenship]

4. 3 days late.

[DireStrike]

5. Right you are, Ken!

Sorry, sorry. You must get it all the time.

[freshwest]

6. They're laughing at the taxpayers, is all that is.

[Safetykitten]

7. Oh, it has deeper meaning.

The fairy is represenative of our new technology defense department. Winged, magical, and carefree, astride the controlled toad, that serves the fairy's needs.

Guess who the toad represents.

[Mz Pip]

8. Well, at least it's not

a sculpture of laborers. That would be so much worse. :sarcasm:

The toad does look a bit like Donald Rumsfeld IMHO.

[angstlessk]

9. I think it is a 'euphemism' of the US (fairy) riding the earth

I think it is the new 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy?

[Obamanaut]

10. Because people who benefit from the National Endowment for the Arts need

your support.

Struggling artists and all that.

[Mojorabbit]

11. There was a lovely thread on this a few days ago

It is a neat sculpture but the price tag is over the top. I am all for supporting the arts, something which has been demonized over the past decade as frivolous but with people suffering a smaller version with a smaller price tag would be more appropriate.

[spanone]

12. with unlimited funding, you can afford the stupid stuff

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. Ugly toad barfing up a malted milk ball? Am I missing something?

:shrug: