MURDOCH’S POT FARM…  Looks like media mogul RUPERT MURDOCH is inching closer to buying Dow Jones. Squid guesses it’ll soon be added to Murdoch’s media monopoly, which includes the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, National Geographic Channel, New York Post, 20th Century Fox, HarperCollins Books, a boatload of New York newsweeklies, and even MySpace.

Whew. That’s a lot of places for Murdoch’s views to metastasize. Squid can’t imagine that Murdoch’s hands over all of those mouths – er, in all of those pots – gives Murdoch the time to know much about what’s going on in his own world, like the fact that Monterey County narcotics detectives invaded his Carmel Valley property last week and eradicated thousands and thousands of MARIJUANA PLANTS.

Squid wonders if Murdoch’s even been briefed about the abrupt departure of the live-in gardener who high-tailed it on foot, gun in hand, when detectives arrived. Squid would think Murdoch would have to fill out some forms, certifying the guy for unemployment or something.

If nothing else, maybe Murdoch can use his media influence to find the gardener and at least return the property he ditched when he fled: some dead animals he was about to snack on, a tent, an elaborate irrigation system, a plethora of ammunition – all the comforts of home.

Far be it for Squid to remind Murdoch of his manners, but a final paycheck might be nice. Squid’s just sayin’. It’s hard out there for a pimp.

WHO KILLED CARMEL’S ELECTRIC CAR?… Squid didn’t even realize that Carmel-by-the-Sea had four nifty little electric buggies – until they were gone.

As reported in the PINE CONE, City staff deemed its five-year-old Global Electric Motorcars unsafe and recommended their sale for a measly $1,000 each – a steal, considering their five-figure new retail value. On July 3, with no discussion, the CITY COUNCIL agreed. An SUV will take over one buggy’s duties at the library, and City Hall may get a new gas-guzzler to replace another.

In a post-Inconvenient Truth America, the Council’s decision has Squid scratching Squid’s pointy head. Squid is reminded of another documentary, which highlighted the maddening unraveling of California’s electric vehicle revolution and showed row after row of gleaming electric cars headed to the crusher. Luckily that’s not the fate of Carmel’s little GEMs. The first two went to the SUNSET CENTER and the CARMEL FOUNDATION before the vote. The third was nabbed by LAGUNA SECA RACEWAY, which Squid finds ironic, given its maximum zoom of 25mph. Squid is 14th on the waiting list for the last one, but Squid is hopeful.