11 Weird White House Petitions

Secession petitions are popular on the White House's We the People website, but plenty of other entries prompt a double-take as well. The Week rounds up some favorites, reminding that if any of these get the necessary 25,000 signatures, the White House is obligated to respond:

• Death star: This one calls for the construction of, yes, a death star by 2016. If you didn't see any of the Star Wars films, the Huffington Post explains that this would be an "inter stellar weapon of unimaginable destruction." (4,722 signatures as of today.)

• Military pockets: Members of the military service "respectfully request the President of the United States to restore our sacred right to place our hands in our pockets—on or off duty." (4,008)
• Nationalize Twinkie industry: "... to prevent our nation from losing her sweet creamy center." (3,998)
• Fark party: President Obama should attend a Fark.com party, or, failing that, at least have a beer with Drew Curtis, founder of the weird-news aggregator. (1,165)
• Shut down the petition site: It's pretty much a joke, and the White House responses are "ultimately worthless" anyway. (933)

Click for the full list. (More White House stories.)