At least $500 million has been spent since 9/11 on renovating Guantanamo Bay

[unhappycamper]

At least $500 million has been spent since 9/11 on renovating Guantanamo Bay
By Scott Higham and Peter Finn

Monday, June 7, 2010 GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA -- At the U.S. naval station here, a handsome electronic sign hangs between two concrete pillars. In yellow enamel against a blue metal backdrop is a map of Cuba, the "Pearl of the Antilles," above flashing time and temperature readings.

"Welcome Aboard," the sign says.

The cost of the marquee, along with a smaller sign positioned near the airfield: $188,000. Among other odd legacies from war-on-terror spending since 2001 for the troops at Guantanamo Bay: an abandoned volleyball court for $249,000, an unused go-kart track for $296,000 and $3.5 million for 27 playgrounds that are often vacant.

The Pentagon also spent $683,000 to renovate a cafe that sells ice cream and Starbucks coffee, and $773,000 to remodel a cinder-block building to house a KFC/Taco Bell restaurant.

The spending is part of at least $500 million that has transformed what was once a sun-beaten and forgotten Caribbean base into one of the most secure military and prison installations in the world. That does not include construction bonuses, which typically run into the millions.

[Echo In Light]

1. $500 million that could have gone toward something other than a prison for a phony war

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. It is exactly here that one can see how the MIC steals oceans of money from Americans

This is how vampires like Dick Cheney get paid. Halliburton charges $249,000 for a volleyball court that costs them a few thousand dollars to build.

War is a racket!