Obama Chia Pet

This sad story works on many levels. One way to frame it:

Chia founder Joseph Pedott ... said he was inspired to create the Obama head as a show of patriotism. ... The product is the second Chia offering to be based on a person; the company produced a promotional item for Mr. T.

I put Chia pets in the same category with White Castle restaurants. They are products whose persistence in the market represents a puzzle to be explained.