White House Responds to Petition

[xfire]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/isnt-petition-response-youre-looking

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 Shawcross

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?

However, look carefully (here's how) and you'll notice something already floating in the sky -- that's no Moon, it's a Space Station! Yes, we already have a giant, football field-sized International Space Station in orbit around the Earth that's helping us learn how humans can live and thrive in space for long durations. The Space Station has six astronauts -- American, Russian, and Canadian -- living in it right now, conducting research, learning how to live and work in space over long periods of time, routinely welcoming visiting spacecraft and repairing onboard garbage mashers, etc. We've also got two robot science labs -- one wielding a laser -- roving around Mars, looking at whether life ever existed on the Red Planet.

Keep in mind, space is no longer just government-only. Private American companies, through NASA's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office (C3PO), are ferrying cargo -- and soon, crew -- to space for NASA, and are pursuing human missions to the Moon this decade.

Even though the United States doesn't have anything that can do the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, we've got two spacecraft leaving the Solar System and we're building a probe that will fly to the exterior layers of the Sun. We are discovering hundreds of new planets in other star systems and building a much more powerful successor to the Hubble Space Telescope that will see back to the early days of the universe.

We don't have a Death Star, but we do have floating robot assistants on the Space Station, a President who knows his way around a light saber and advanced (marshmallow) cannon, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which is supporting research on building Luke's arm, floating droids, and quadruped walkers.

We are living in the future! Enjoy it. Or better yet, help build it by pursuing a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field. The President has held the first-ever White House science fairs and Astronomy Night on the South Lawn because he knows these domains are critical to our country's future, and to ensuring the United States continues leading the world in doing big things.

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.

Paul Shawcross is Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget

 

[twat36975248664224]

Wtf?????????

 

[Mayhem]

Fuckin' Obama!Fuckin' Democrats!Fuckin' Liberals

Where's "Moonbase" Gingrich when you need him?

 

[georges]

:worms1:unbelievable:worms1:

 

[DJCowboy]

I think it's pretty funny

Especially this part

-Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship?

 

[StanScratch]

That was actually a rather good, light-hearted response to what was actually a light-hearted petition. Rather cool that the White House plays along and shows a sense of humor sometimes (for instance, the CDC disaster preparation memo that acted as a "what if..." zombie attack memo).
And, of course a Death Star would be way too expensive. Everyone knows The Enterprise would be a lot cheaper.


(and no surprise someone like georges would not get the humor to this)

 

[mikexmoran]

This is an example of why the US should redirect what is left of the NASA budget into the defense spend. Then the defense budget needs to be tripled.

We can do the Kessler run in less than 12 parsecs? Really? Deficit be damned!

 

[Johan]

Pretty funny indeed

However, look carefully (here's how) and you'll notice something already floating in the sky -- that's no Moon, it's a Space Station! Yes, we already have a giant, football field-sized International Space Station in orbit around the Earth

:rofl2:

 

[Mr. Daystar]

I think it's even more funny that the chief numbnut is screaming about the budget, and spending, but didn't have the slightest problem signing a bill that gives ex-presidents secret service protection for life....costing tax payers millions of dollars.

Now I'm not saying I support the construction of a death star, but how can you talk about spending money on ANY program, when you joyfully spend it on yourself. Especially when you're trying to deny civilians their rights.

I'm assuming this "Death Star" is some sort of missile defense/laser weapons project? I can't say I've payed much attention to the whole thing.

To be honest, I would just as soon see them spend the money they use on space exploration, to fund PBS, or use it for schools. IF we destroy this planet, we don't deserve a chance to ruin another one.

 

[Mayhem]

I think it's even more funny that the chief numbnut is screaming about the budget, and spending, but didn't have the slightest problem signing a bill that gives ex-presidents secret service protection for life....costing tax payers millions of dollars.

Who are you talking about?

I'm assuming this "Death Star" is some sort of missile defense/laser weapons project? I can't say I've payed much attention to the whole thing.

This is possibly the saddest thing I've ever read. But it explains a lot.

 

[StanScratch]

I think it's even more funny that the chief numbnut is screaming about the budget, and spending, but didn't have the slightest problem signing a bill that gives ex-presidents secret service protection for life....costing tax payers millions of dollars.

Now I'm not saying I support the construction of a death star, but how can you talk about spending money on ANY program, when you joyfully spend it on yourself. Especially when you're trying to deny civilians their rights.

I'm assuming this "Death Star" is some sort of missile defense/laser weapons project? I can't say I've payed much attention to the whole thing.

To be honest, I would just as soon see them spend the money they use on space exploration, to fund PBS, or use it for schools. IF we destroy this planet, we don't deserve a chance to ruin another one.

Just a little bit of advice - if you want to be taken seriously when it comes to political discussion, you might want to actually read the news. I am not talking about watching Fox, MSNBC, CNN or that kind of shit. I am not talking about reading through a Yahoo newsfeed or Newsmax. I am talking about actually paying attention to news. Because, despite the claims of many out there, there are some fun political stories out there. This is one.

 

[xfire]

I think it's even more funny that the chief numbnut is screaming about the budget, and spending, but didn't have the slightest problem signing a bill that gives ex-presidents secret service protection for life....costing tax payers millions of dollars.

Now I'm not saying I support the construction of a death star, but how can you talk about spending money on ANY program, when you joyfully spend it on yourself. Especially when you're trying to deny civilians their rights.

I'm assuming this "Death Star" is some sort of missile defense/laser weapons project? I can't say I've payed much attention to the whole thing.

To be honest, I would just as soon see them spend the money they use on space exploration, to fund PBS, or use it for schools. IF we destroy this planet, we don't deserve a chance to ruin another one.

http://starwars.com/explore/encyclopedia/technology/deathstar/

 

[Mr. Daystar]

Who are you talking about?



This is possibly the saddest thing I've ever read. But it explains a lot.

Obama signed a law into effect the other day, that gives lifetime secret service protection to pas presidents, starting with Bush....it's cost tax payers millions.

And don't be a dick, just because I don't read EVERY single thing in the news, doesn't mean I'm an idiot, and fuck you for implying as such. I pass over a news story, and see the word "death star", it's not unreasonable to assume it's something military.

Just a little bit of advice - if you want to be taken seriously when it comes to political discussion, you might want to actually read the news. I am not talking about watching Fox, MSNBC, CNN or that kind of shit. I am not talking about reading through a Yahoo newsfeed or Newsmax. I am talking about actually paying attention to news. Because, despite the claims of many out there, there are some fun political stories out there. This is one.

I'm sorry I missed EVERY SINGLE story on Yahoo....If you find my posts to be below your standards of intelligence, there are buttons that will afford you the ability to avoid them.

xfire...thanks for the link, funny story bro, sorry I'm not up to your standards either.......sorry I haven't got the extra time to read EVERY story....maybe I can get by on 4 hours of sleep a night.

I do believe I plainly stated I wasn't completely knowledgeable about this particular story. I assumed wrongly that I might get some additional info, as opposed to a big old fuck you from my fellow members....and you are the same guys that rag on Sam for being a dick. Real nice....thanks BUDDY!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go spend my Saturday working on a house that's slowly draining every bit of my finances, patience, and ability function in every other area of my life.

 

[xfire]

xfire...thanks for the link, funny story bro, sorry I'm not up to your standards either.......sorry I haven't got the extra time to read EVERY story....maybe I can get by on 4 hours of sleep a night.

I do believe I plainly stated I wasn't completely knowledgeable about this particular story. I assumed wrongly that I might get some additional info, as opposed to a big old fuck you from my fellow members....and you are the same guys that rag on Sam for being a dick. Real nice....thanks BUDDY!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go spend my Saturday working on a house that's slowly draining every bit of my finances, patience, and ability function in every other area of my life.

I wasn't trying to be a dick and I apologize for coming across that way. But come on, you have to admit that was pretty lulzy.

 

[Johan]

I'm assuming this "Death Star" is some sort of missile defense/laser weapons project? I can't say I've payed much attention to the whole thing.

THIS is the DEATH STAR : it's a fictionnal combat space station featuring in Starwars movies

 

[Rattrap]

Obama signed a law into effect the other day, that gives lifetime secret service protection to pas presidents, starting with Bush....it's cost tax payers millions.

And don't be a dick, just because I don't read EVERY single thing in the news, doesn't mean I'm an idiot, and fuck you for implying as such. I pass over a news story, and see the word "death star", it's not unreasonable to assume it's something military.

I think the response was less that you didn't know the details of the story (perfectly forgivable) and more that you came in here not knowing the details of the story to irrelevantly play your politics.

But I could be wrong.

 

[Mayhem]

Obama signed a law into effect the other day, that gives lifetime secret service protection to pas presidents, starting with Bush....it's cost tax payers millions.

And don't be a dick, just because I don't read EVERY single thing in the news, doesn't mean I'm an idiot, and fuck you for implying as such. I pass over a news story, and see the word "death star", it's not unreasonable to assume it's something military.

First of all, it's not a bad law in this day and age of terrorists and extremists. And Secret Service agents aren't Borg drones. You don't just hatch them. This sounds like a decent entry level job before they're ready for the big time.

Secondly, I'm not being a dick, you are being an insufferable tool. The Death Star comes from Star Wars. This is a joke issue, but once again you just have to sit on your high horse like so many times before.

 

[feller469]

If we were to build a Death star-type base, couldn't we blast any asteroid that got too close? That would also serve as a warning to all the other asteroids out there who might get the balls to want to be the Earth destroyer.

 

[darkwarrior3007]

Damn it Mr. President! I want my goddamn Death Star!

 

[Mr. Daystar]

Yeah, well it was a bad day yesterday....

I do apologize for being a snotty little twat.

Mayhem, I feel your wrong about the high horse statement, for the most part. I have strong opinions. I can see how you get that impression when it comes to the gun threads, but for the most part, I do not. I disagree, it is an unnecessary cost. 10 years free ride is enough, they come into office rich, and leave wealthy, they make millions off of their position, their power. They can afford to hire private security. Not to mention the hypocrisy factor....his secret service agents aren't restricted by law on what they'll be able to own, or carry.

To be honest, I had not seen or heard one single fucking thing about this, until this thread, and didn't do any research.