Once the official White House petition to secure resources and funding to begin construction on a Death Star passed 25,000 signatures, it rated a response from the White House. First, the bad news: we're not getting a Death Star. There is, however, a bit of good news: the person assigned to responding to the petition has both a firm love of science and a geeky sense of humor.
Paul Shawcross, Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget, issued this response to the petition:
OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE TO
Secure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016.
This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For
By Paul ShawcrossThe Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon. Here are a few reasons:
• 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?
via io9.com
I am amused
