MILITARY MADNESS… Squid took a trip to Moss Landing last weekend for the USA KIA/DOW (Killed in Action/Died of Wounds) gathering at a lot adjacent to the J&S Surplus & Outdoor Store off Highway 1. The combination military gear flea market, barbecue, and memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers – attended by many veteran soldiers/current bikers, like members of the National American Indian Veterans, one of whom played a haunting “Taps” on a wind pipe – boasted 50-millimeter Browning shells, flak jackets, camo clothes, jeeps, knives and MREs.

But something even more perplexing occurred afterwards. Jeff Taylor – whose brochure professes he “grew up and worked in agricultural [sic],” is co-publisher of GoodNewsHerald.com, and is “not a politician” – was at the event promoting his race for the 17th Congressional District against Sam Farr, who Taylor said “we have to get rid of.”

“Put me in Squid, put me in Squid,” Taylor said. “Just get my name out there. Good or bad.”

Okey-dokey. Squid was pressed to leave, but lobbed one question to the candidate just for kicks and giggles. GMOs in Monterey County – what does Taylor think?

“GMOs? What are those?” he responded.

Squid was taken aback, but obliged with a cursory description of the genetically modified crops big ag companies want to toss into our salad bowl.

“Oh, that’s hybrids,” he replied.

It took J.J., an IT manager at a local ag company and a minister with the Christian Motorcyclists Association, to break down GMOs for the ag-reared politician. To Taylor’s credit, he toned down his initial David Koechner-like rollicking charm and listened.

But Squid still had a flashback: Katie Couric/Sarah Palin, 2008.

PANETTA’S P.R..Squid has to hand it to Squid’s favorite local spook, Leon Panetta. While the rest of the Democrats and his colleagues in the Obama administration are getting bashed, Leon continues to bask in the glow of great press. The latest example, from U.S. News and World Report’s politics blog:

“At a time when he’s got the most secretive job in his 34 years of public services, CIA Director Leon Panetta is cracking the shell on his family roots,” the piece informs. At a convention of Asian-American professionals in S.F., the piece continues, Panetta talked about how his Italian immigrant parents made the journey to Monterey.

And Squid noticed yet another puff piece about Panetta’s top-level meeting with guest cooks from Top Chef. Could Leon be angling for a spot in the Monterey Bay foodie scene when his political career ends?