[News] Star Wars Fans Petition the US Government for the Construction of a Death Star

[PEDRO12]

For whatever reason, ‘Star Wars‘ fans petitioned the White House wanting the United States to make a Death Star. That the country our the government has no interest in making one is no surprise. But the Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget Paul Shawcross responded to the petition in the nerdiest way possible.


Here is his response, in full:

THIS ISN’T THE PETITION RESPONSE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR

No matter how you feel about our current government or administration, this is pretty cool. Also: NERDS!

Source: http://screencrush.com/star-wars-whi...th-star-plans/

So like, wut? I don't, I don't get how anyone rationalized this...
Regardless, what do you guys think? >_>
I've been laughing so hard endlessly since I saw this xD

[TRIFORCE89]

I had two reactions:

1) Awesome response. XD

2) Not fond of the government having to respond to all petitions that meet the threshold, because... while I love Star Wars and found the response highly amusing, someone was just paid with tax dollars for being a Star Wars nerd basically.

[PEDRO12]

Originally Posted by TRIFORCE89

I had two reactions:

1) Awesome response. XD

2) Not fond of the government having to respond to all petitions that meet the threshold, because... while I love Star Wars and found the response highly amusing, someone was just paid with tax dollars for being a Star Wars nerd basically.

1) IKR! I laughed so hard at his response, lmao.
"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."
xD

2) And yes, that is true. Some people just forget to think before they speak ._.

[Charicific]

Aww Jeez...I couldn't read the number... -.- stopped counting after billion

[Team Fail]

Explain to me how this can help America get out of debt.

@Charicific: It's 850 quadrillion.

[Pinkie-Dawn]

This is why petitions will never work, and this is perhaps the worst of the bunch. Still, it's actually quite amusing from the Star Wars fanbase. XD

[Scarf]

Originally Posted by TRIFORCE89

2) Not fond of the government having to respond to all petitions that meet the threshold, because... while I love Star Wars and found the response highly amusing, someone was just paid with tax dollars for being a Star Wars nerd basically.

Consider it a public relations expenditure. It's a small attempt to get people to remember that the government, through NASA and other organizations, is actually capable to doing things. That is happens to be nerdy is, I think, a bonus because it lets people connect and maybe that's all it would take to get someone thinking in a different direction.

It's also good because it shows that the White House will respond to us ordinary people. If we abuse that we certainly can't fault them for wasting money. The response didn't take that much time. Sure, someone had to write it out, but they probably didn't have to send a car or charter a plane, arrange a press conference and invite reporters, or all other number of things that would probably cost more money.

[TRIFORCE89]

Originally Posted by Scarf

Consider it a public relations expenditure. It's a small attempt to get people to remember that the government, through NASA and other organizations, is actually capable to doing things. That is happens to be nerdy is, I think, a bonus because it lets people connect and maybe that's all it would take to get someone thinking in a different direction.

It's also good because it shows that the White House will respond to us ordinary people. If we abuse that we certainly can't fault them for wasting money. The response didn't take that much time. Sure, someone had to write it out, but they probably didn't have to send a car or charter a plane, arrange a press conference and invite reporters, or all other number of things that would probably cost more money.

And if anything, this is included through his salary anyway. So, it isn't really a big deal, it's just... more the optics of it.

[Scarf]

Originally Posted by TRIFORCE89

And if anything, this is included through his salary anyway. So, it isn't really a big deal, it's just... more the optics of it.

Yeah, that's certainly true. Optics are a great way to make a mountain out of a molehill as they say. I've no doubt there is some anti-Obama blogger out there right now writing about wasteful spending because of this.

[krazzikk]

For some ridiculous reason I'm not aware of I was expecting the U.S. to have accepted the petition when I saw the title...I'm disappointed xD

Originally Posted by Pinkie-Dawn

This is why petitions will never work, and this is perhaps the worst of the bunch. Still, it's actually quite amusing from the Star Wars fanbase. XD

I'm not sure exactly how this is an example of petitions never working. The request was obviously a joke, and I'm sure no one ever expected a reply.

[Sweets Witch]

This actually reminds me of the last time I went through the petition list and there was one to get a statue of Master Chief for the White House lawn. Also there's this gem.

On a serious note, the petition system has been a bit of a joke recently due to people using it to oversimplify complicated situations. At any given time there are multiple petitions telling the President to resign, at least one demanding that the US be broken up in some way (secession, dissolving, etc.), and even some that tell the members of Congress to vote in favor of something that would hurt them (taking big money out of politics, cutting their health benefits, cutting their pay, etc.). The petitions that are reasonable, which usually have to do with calling for presidential pardons, usually don't even get the required number of signatures because they aren't buzz word topics.

[PEDRO12]

Originally Posted by Sweets Witch

Also there's this gem.

I just signed that gem right now. Sorry, I couldn't resist its epicness xD
We should like, have everyone on PokeCommunity sign that, like right now ._. We are one of the leading Pokemon fan forums out there, just imagine a State Pokemon for every State in America o.o

But yeah, some people just start petitions as a joke hoping people will have a good laugh and sign them afterwards u_u

[gimmepie]

I'd sign it but I'm not American :/

As for the original topic. The response was genius, we all agree on that. But more so the whole topic was hilarious and highlighted a serious flaw in the American petition system as well as gave the government a chance to show they respond to concerns from pretty much anyone. What a hilariously interesting situation.

[Drakow]

Damn, FOILED AGAIN!

Brilliant response and it's times like these when I'm proud to be a fully fledged Mathematician.

[The_Consumer]

You can't honestly except a serious reaction to that xD It could never happen. Besides, death stars are lame.

[Frostweaver]

Transparency is always those "PR points + 1" for governments and are always appreciated by anyone. When it's a clear-cut black and white fashion of when will you give an official respond, people know what to expect, and no one can really blame the government unjustly (which politicians like to do "once in awhile.") The rules are clear: 25000+ signatures and we'll talk.

Also, sometimes things just need to take a chill-pill once in awhile to keep the atmosphere relaxed and positive XD; I don't think that it's a "waste" to answer these at all. If just ONE person is inspired to see an official government response like this to take science/math education just a bit more seriously, then it's already worth it.

Plus, nothing hurts in asking! This IS the country that considered blowing up the moon seriously in the cold war.

[PEDRO12]

Originally Posted by The_Consumer

You can't honestly except a serious reaction to that xD It could never happen. Besides, death stars are lame.

Originally Posted by The_Consumer

You can't honestly except a serious reaction to that xD It could never happen. Besides, death stars are lame.

Originally Posted by The_Consumer

You can't honestly except a serious reaction to that xD It could never happen. Besides, death stars are lame.

Originally Posted by The_Consumer

You can't honestly except a serious reaction to that xD It could never happen. Besides, death stars are lame.

YOU DID NOT... @{

Originally Posted by Frostweaver

Also, sometimes things just need to take a chill-pill once in awhile

LMAO I'm definitely gonna use this sometime.

Originally Posted by Frostweaver

Plus, nothing hurts in asking! This IS the country that considered blowing up the moon seriously in the cold war.

Come again... o.O

[CarcharOdin]

Originally Posted by The_Consumer

You can't honestly except a serious reaction to that xD It could never happen. Besides, death stars are lame.

WAT.

Anyway, all I can say is that response was one of the funniest things I've ever read. But he's right...our taxpayer's dollars are best invested elsewhere...like developing lightsaber technology.

I'll find it pretty funny when one day people are petitioning the government for more Lightsaber Control.

[Sydian]

They realize it's not April Fools Day yet, right?

[TRIFORCE89]

Oh hey they've increased the signature bar on the petitions now

[Shiny Bidoof]

"The Administration does not support blowing up planets."

This is always good to know.

[Livewire]

Still more practical than the secession petition, I'm afraid.