HESTON Vs. HUFF… Squid likes truth (along with snarkiness, smarts and smokin’ hot looks). So Squid was happy as a sea lion at a sardine buffet when the Fabulous Miss H, Arianna Huffington, visited Monterey last week.

She criticized George Bush and John McCain. Democrats, too, although most of her biting comments were reserved for the GOP. Sigh. Squid’s in love. But, according to rumors, other more conservative-minded mollusks in and around Monterey Peninsula College– not so much.

Nor is Joseph W. Heston, KSBW president and general manager. In his Sept. 12 rant, errr, opinion, titled “Working Hard for the Truth,” Heston blasted “Her Royal Newsness, Arianna Huffington,” for saying “the news media, reporting on two sides of a controversial issue, were not doing their job. That the pursuit of ‘truth’ cannot be objective or neutral; to do so she claims is ‘unethical.’

“We think reporting both sides of a controversial community issue is essential. We’ll report the facts as we know them; we also report on why one group or another feels the way they do, and examine evidence they offer to back up their position. We’ll leave the opinionated news to some activist weekly newspapers, cable news outfits and the Internet.”

(Squid’s note: KSBW didn’t attend or report on Huffington’s talk.) Here’s what Huffington said: “At what point do journalists decide the truth is established? People no longer debate if the world is flat… You’re not a partisan if you actually stand up for the truth– you’re an ethical member of the media and to be passionate about the fact that torture is not the American way does not mean that you are a left-wing partisan.”

WHAT NOT TO WEAR… Squid just loves it when school’s back in session. The level of drama between teenagers and administrators who don’t get outdoors often enough is simply fascinating.

Was it already seven years ago when Salinas High students staged a protest to fight for girls’ rights to wear thong underwear? As we recall, the then principal denied the claims of a student who says she was reprimanded for wearing a thong. “Pay attention to my mind, not my panties,” students protested.

Fast-forward nearly a decade, and thong-gate is (sorta) back. This time, though, only the color matters.

As of Sept. 15, students can’t wear anything red or blue, display the names of college or professional teams (’cept the Salinas Cowboys), display the names of California cities, wear certain brands, bandanas, flags, maps, stars or belt buckles.

Principal Michael Romero says it’s to keep kids safe. Yes, because stars are flippin’ dangerous. And so are flags. And maps?