There's a pattern in this system. A member of the public writes a petition, something they'd like to see Our Government do. It's well written, well-considered, and a good idea. It gets a lot of public support, and the White House maybe fulfills its own committment to respond. And that response ignores the petition entirely, only defending whatever the heck the White House wants to or is doing anyway despite it.
"No war in Syria" leads to "blah blah robust response to terrorism, airstrikes start in ten minutes."
"Free Snowden" leads to "blah blah justice and rule of law when it suits us, but not you."
These aren't responses to petition of government, they're click-bait to draw people into reading the party spiel.
But I look forward to reading about ten ways to get cheap insurance.