So, some wags put out a petition to, “Secure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016“.

Since this bit of comedic gold has gotten more then 25,000 signatures, the white house has issued a response:

The 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?

I am actually a bit surprised by their response.

I would have assumed that the White House would have insisted that “blowing up planets” was a necessary executive prerogative in line with his functions of Commander-in-Chief.