Eugene anarchists are understandably outraged over the sentence handed down to fellow anarchist Rob Thaxton last month for his role in June 18's civil disturbance. Thaxton was convicted of throwing a softball-sized rock at a cop. The rock gave the policeman a "deep bruise"; Thaxton, for his part, testified that he did not intend to hit the cop, merely divert his attention. For his efforts, Lane County Judge Mary Ann Bearden sentenced Braxton to six years in prison--longer than some people serve in prison for raping or killing. Bearden tacked an extra year on to the maximum sentencing guidelines, and said her decision was intended to send a message that violence would not be tolerated, even in the name of a social cause. Clearly, Thaxton was sentenced in large part due to his political beliefs; any street punk with a comparably clean record, convicted of the same crime, would be out in 90 days. Is this the sort of crackdown awaiting WTO protesters in Seattle as well? Let's hope we don't find out.--Geov Parrish

It completely escaped the attention of corporate media, but the United States' radio spectrum now officially belongs to the rich. In a regulatory move by the Federal Communications Commission, 95 new FM licenses were for the first time ever directly auctioned off last month to new station owners. This means that rather than being licensed to a particular spot on the radio dial, the station owners, now own that spot on the dial. And it marks the final abdication of any expectation by the FCC of public or community service by a license-holder in exchange for the right to broadcast on the public's airwaves. Now, the more money you have, the more likely you'll "own" that particular airwave, and public interests be damned. Full profit ahead. A sad day, indeed. --G.P.

Many thanks to the well-wishers (you know who you are) who visited and sent messages during my hospitalization for ten days last month. I'm still slowly recuperating. The final verdicts: double pneumonia, and a staggering amount of arrogance and waste among the medical profession. It almost makes one feel sorry for the insurance companies, were they not just as bad. Somehow, miraculously, people heal in that environment. It's a testimony to the nurses and all the other health care professionals who work in, ahem, less than ideal circumstances. Those are the folks that truly save lives.--G.P.

While on personal notes, e-mail subscriptions to Geov's weekly Seattle Weekly column are up and running. If you'd like to get the pre-copy-edited version a few days before it hits print, e-mail me at gparrish@seattleweekly.com and I'll be happy to oblige.--G.P.

There's no place like NOAM for the holidays! So start yours a little early with our fabulous Chomsky-thon at 911 Media Arts Center, November 12-13. Two videos will show on the 12th and the film Manufacturing Consent on Saturday the 13th. See the calendar for details and come join the party for this great ETS! fundraiser ($3-$5 suggested donation).

Then there's the minor matter of the target. What on earth does Nordstrom's have to do with the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania? Does racist Philly judge Albert Sabo shop for black night robes there? The only apparent link between the parking garage scandal and Mumia is that both are issues where activists don't want to let something die.--G./P.