White House denies Death Star petition

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- The White House rejected a petition to build a Death Star, saying it would cost $850 quadrillion and the United States "does not support blowing up planets."

The "We the People" program allows U.S. citizens to create petitions on any topic through the White House website. The Obama administration has promised to consider and respond to any petition that receives at least 25,000 signatures within 30 days.

As of Friday, a petition to "secure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016," had more than 34,000 signatures, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The Death Star is an enormous, globe-shaped space ship and weapon built by villain Darth Vader to destroy planets in the "Star Wars" film franchise.

Paul Shawcross, the chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget posted a statement at the website saying the Obama administration "shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon."

"The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000," Shawcross wrote, advising petitioners the administration is "working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it."

Also, he said, "The Administration does not support blowing up planets."

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

For a fuller explanation of that reference, see the "Star Wars" movies.