On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 12:31:55 GMT, * wrote:

[...]

It's a semantical game, as there is no distinction between industrial and
military contractors. Example: Bechtel is a subsidiary of Lockheed.

Simply put, the business of running the United States Government is in the
hands of private industry. Basically, the US government is a front for
commercial industry. The beauty of that scheme is the tax payer is the
funding source.

And by using the guise of "official government", private industry can claim
"national security" as a means by which they keep themselves hidden.