Why should politicians or media take us seriously?

[No Elephants]

Jan 30, 3:05 AM EST

White House petitions: Huge response, headache too

By JOSH LEDERMAN
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- No, the U.S. will not be building a Death Star. And no, President Obama isn't deporting CNN's Piers Morgan or letting Texas secede.

These are just a few of the wacky notions the White House has had to address as part of its effort to promote open government.

Now the Obama administration is upping the threshold for an official response, from 25,000 signatures to 100,000. It's a reminder that government by the people can sometimes have unintended consequences.

Some of the petitions address serious issues, like judicial reform and gay rights. Others are sillier, like banning baseball bats or giving Vice President Joe Biden a reality TV show.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PESKY_PETITIONS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-01-30-03-05-16

This is a perfect example of the new(ish) political meme: "There's plenty of blame to go around."

Also of Walt Kelly's meme:

[Enthusiast]

1. I think 100,000 is a reasonable number.

In a nation with a population with over 300 million? But these petitions of 100,000 should be taken seriously.

[No Elephants]

2. How can they take them seriously? Most of them are too stoopid for words.

[Enthusiast]

3. Many of the petitions are very serious.

The ones I signed, for example. :hi:

[No Elephants]

4. I am sure some are. But, can you imagine having a guaranty that someone in the administration of

POTUS will at least look at your thoughts, then using that incredible opportunity to suggest a reality show for Joe Biden?

It is said that people get the government that they deserve. What kind of government do you suppose the morans who wrote and signed that petition deserve?

Then again, maybe that is the way to go, given how much (little) the federal government responds to citizens.