ATTACK! of the...tweeties?

Odds are you've seen it, a shirt, a backpack, a sweater, a binder, all with the face of that loveable cartoon bird on it, you know, the one that saw a puddy tat. Odd thing is, it is almost impossible to find that cartoon on the air anymore, same goes for Eeyore, Bugs, Mickey or any other cartoon icon. They've been around for 60+ years, and have transcended beyond characters into brands. (fun fact: tweetie bird is male) These used to be characters, they'd do funny things, say cute phrases, get into trouble, well except in Eeyore's case, he just kinda sat there. They aren't really relevant, so why are they so popular, is it kitsch? nostalgia? I personally think it's laziness, on the part of the consumer and the producer, they just do what's easiest, what's comforting. Comfort certainly plays a role, most of the items are not necessarily daring, I think it's certainly that nostalgic comfort that drives the Wal-Mart aisles plastered with Bettie Boop, even over seas it has translated into kitsch, but not here, not when we have the good ol' days of Elmer Fudd telling us to be quiet because of wabbit season.