Death Star idea shot down by White House, it costs $850,000,000,000,000,000

THE White House has rejected calls from tens of thousands of Americans for President Obama to build a Star Wars-style Death Star - in a humourous reply to the demand.

A petition called for the US to construct a moon-sized battle-station with weaponry able to destroy whole planets.

The plea, signed by more than 34,000 people, said the American Death Star would strengthen national security and create jobs and called for building to begin before 2016.

The White House is obliged to reply to all petitions that have 25,000 signatures or more.

And Paul Shawcross, White House chief for the science and space budget, replied tongue-in-cheek: "The administration does not support blowing up planets."

In the letter he wrote that the estimated cost of the proposed project would be more than $850,000,000,000,000,000 ($850 quadrillion).

He said: "We're working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it, " adding: "Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship?"

The official response was titled: This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For and the letter has gone viral on the internet.

Earlier this week we reported how cheeky toy train company Bigjigs bid to manage Britain's troubled West Coast Main Line.

Marketing chief George Poole wrote to the Government after it axed a contract with First Group for the line.

He said: “We never have delays, our track is not affected by sun, rain, snow, wind or leaves!”

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin’s advisors good-naturedly praised the firm’s “craftsmanship” but 'worried' about its ability to meet “modern crashworthiness standards".

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4740588/white-house-reject-death-star-petition.html#ixzz2HqeHdviT