Go-Kart, Unused

The Washington Post reports that the US military has spent at least $500 million in recent years on renovations to the Guantanamo base, including $296,000 for a go-kart track, records show. Add in spending for top-secret items and the total cost easily soars toward $2 billion, in the first public accounting of spending at the base since the first detainees arrived in January 2002. The costs do not include the $150 million a year that it takes to run the 45-square-mile base. Since January 2002, the Pentagon built the go-kart track, which sits unused, and spent $249,000 for a volleyball court that now is abandoned and $3.5 million for 27 playgrounds that often are vacant, the Post reported. A cafe renovation cost $683,000 and another $773,000 was spent to renovate a building to house a KFC/Taco Bell restaurant. Millions more were spent on first- rate sports facilities, including football and baseball fields. Captain Steven Blaisdell, the base commander, defends the spending as necessary for a remote base that must provide a range of services.