Thread creep I realize, but as I used to for a newspaper advertising art department for over two decades (laid off in November) I can tell you that the PDF format allows graphic designers to convert large files to a size that can be emailed. These files imbed multiple images and fonts that the recipient may not have formatted by a program they do not have and still have the recipient be able to have the file print exactly as the designer intended. To call it a "Pretty Dangerous Format" may be true but it is ignores what all the major designers know. For output, PDFs work across all platforms and eliminate so many headaches, I would call that "Pretty Darn Fabulous!"
Reader is one thing, Distiller is the real deal.

Perhaps the DOD should just flatten the image! ;)