Republican Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn has announced his retirement. While we don’t usually cover that sort of news, there is an impact to geekdom because of that. The fiscally conservative Senator each year produces his Wastebook which lists things he deems government waste. We’ve covered this for the last two years as he listed the charitable organization the 501st Legion and this year numerous geeky things like video games and tie-ins to the Man of Steel.

In 2012, the Senator listed the 501st Legion as part of his Wastebook due to $365 of federal funds paid out to the organization for an event. That event was held by a Massachusetts library to get children excited about reading and learning. The Senator seemed to incorrectly think the charity organization somehow gets paid by Lucasfilm, ignoring the fact that its average citizens getting together to do good things.

For his 2013 Wastebook, Coburn took on video games, toy museums, superheroes and the Man of Steel. I’m sure that was the edition that certified that Coburn wanted to stamp out all fun.

The Senator did reveal health issues recently and we wish him good health in his retirement. But, the geek world can rest a little bit better due to it.

(via the Washington Post)