Would it help you to feel better if instead of calling this a "shadow government" we all started to call it what it really is:----a crisis control center?
The folks rotating in and out of these "undisclosed locations" are currently government employees. They are the ones responsible for maintaining the utilities of the government: like making sure social security checks are mailed out and communication channels are kept working.
In addition to this, at all times at least one member of the Bush cabinet must be outside of Washington, DC;-- the VP still frequents his "undisclosed locations";-- and the Congress of the United States has its evacuation plans (starting with Denny Hastert) in the event of an attack.
This is not sinister, end of the world stuff. These are plans implemented by thoughtful adults who take their oath to protect and defend seriously.
If we learned anything on September 11 it should be that these contigency plans are necessary. We should applaud the administration for doing the job we have hired them to do.
That wouldn't help at all! Contrast the emotional rush that comes with "shadow government" to the drop in blood sugar that comes upon hearing "crisis control center." The only good thing about your phrase is that it contains "con," the first three letters of ...