Weird-News: White House Won't Be Building Death Star

[arniejolt]

Perhaps building a Millennium Falcon would be more reasonable, though the government funding would make the pricetag skyrocket to several trillion dollars...

The Force is with Washington. The White House has responded, tongue partly in cheek, to a “We The People” petition that asked the government to build a “Star Wars”-style Death Star. The response has already gotten “Death Star” trending on Twitter.

The petition, which has pulled in 34,435 signatures so far, asked that “the United States government to secure funding and resources, and begin construction on a Death Star by 2016.”

In the “Star Wars” movies, Death Star space battle stations are the size of moons and are capable of destroying entire planets. They were built by the evil Empire for the purpose of intimidating freedom loving planets.

Paul Shawcross, Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget, gave the government’s response, saying “The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn’t on the horizon.”

“We the People” petitions allow users to bring issues to the government’s attention. According to the official website “If a petition gets enough support, White House staff will review it, ensure it’s sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.”

Among the reasons the Obama administration won’t build a Death Star:

“The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000. We’re working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it.”
“The Administration does not support blowing up planets.”
“Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship?”

The letter concludes by saying “If you do pursue a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field, the Force will be with us! Remember, the Death Star’s power to destroy a planet, or even a whole star system, is insignificant next to the power of the Force.”

From The Wall Street Journal:
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/...star-petition/

Oh, why not ask...How does this make you feel?

[dragoninforcer]

This is great.

[Munnchy]

"The administration doesn't support blowing up planets"

I love how they've taken this in their stride and had a good sense of humour about this

[firedoom666]

man I really wanted to look up to the sky and see the death star