Grapevine: Spend it like Beckham at Gitmo

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Grapevine: Spend it like Beckham at Gitmo

Tax money to build new soccer field at Guantanamo Bay

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...

Waste Not

Tens of billions of your tax dollars are being wasted annually on duplication and overlap in dozens of federal programs, that's according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The GAO also states that nearly every department of the executive branch has room for improvement.

Republican Senator Tom Coburn says taxpayers are getting burned on even mundane items like potato chips.

The Oklahoma Republican points to a $50,000 grant to a private potato chip company so it can raise brand awareness and consumer knowledge.

At the same time, dozens of other federal initiatives are promoting healthy eating and specifically discouraging the consumption of snacks like potato chips.

Spend it Like Beckham

You're also footing the bill for a new soccer field for Guantanamo Bay terrorism detainees to the tune of $750,000.

Camp 6 houses, what are termed "highly compliant" detainees who live in a communal setting.

The new recreational center is specially constructed so that detainees will have access 20 hours a day.

This is in addition to two "already existing" recreation fields.

A military spokesman says outdoor activities help reduce behavior problems at the camp.

Lip Service

Finally, the American Mustache Institute says its tax credit proposal we told you about last week is being referred to a committee up on Capitol Hill.

The organization says Maryland Republican Congressman Roscoe Bartlett has apparently passed along the Stimulus To Allow Critical Hair Expenses -- the STACHE Act -- to the Ways and Means Committee for study.

If passed, it would provide a tax credit of $250 annually to cover mustache maintenance.