In what is either a perfect example of how misguided the Internet generation has become, or how transparent the United States Government is trying to be with its people (if not both), The White House officially responded to a Petition this weekend with over 30,000 signatures, requesting that the US Government look into the construction of an official Death Star.

Yes, Death Star. Like from Star Wars.

In the brilliantly titled response, This Isn’t The Petition Response You’re Looking For, the Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget, Paul Shawcross responds to the petition with an official rejection.

In the very well detailed response (seriously, you’re going to want to read this), Shawcross articulates the flaws with the plan, up to and including these great bulletpoints:

  • 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?
This petition, and its response, is part of President Obama's new We The People online petition process, which allows the public to create any petition, and if 25,000 signatures are met, the administration must address it. While this has mostly been used to respond to major national concerns such as gun control, it's good to see that the administration has a very well researched sense of humor, as well.

Source: The White House.