And about the stormtrooper clones thing: isn't it obvious? At first, GL created then as a mercenary army, they were hired/drafted by the empire. But then, when he came to the prequels, he had to come with an explanation for that "clone wars" line, and he thought "wait a minute, stormtroopers, clones, yes Georgie-boy this could work!" I mean, take C3PO, when you guys watched the original trilogy, have you ever thought he was created by Darth Vader himself?
"You are part of a... wait a minute, is that C3PO?"
"Oh no, artoo, he saw us! We're doomned!"
"It is! It is you! Threepio come here, it's me, Anakin! Your creator!"
"Anakin? Little master Annie, that's really you?"
"Yes! Oh screw this dark side empire thing! Threepio, come with me, we're going home!"