Dalai Lama, guns, Donald Trump’s mistake and summer heat

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We can’t help but think about the heat as the West bakes and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation releases more water from behind Shasta Dam. That could make farmers less angry about what they call the “government-created dust bowl,” but it might steam Sacramento River fish.

Holy takes

The Dalai Lama imparted his wisdom on guns, education and the environment to the California Legislature on Monday, while the U.S. Senate bowed to the almighty NRA and again failed to pass gun control legislation.

Donald Trump and Ben Carson plan to meet with evangelical Christians in a closed-door meeting today. The question: Will they support a candidate who has been married multiple times, boasts about infidelities, praises Planned Parenthood and suggests shunning people based on their religious beliefs?

Mistakes

Earlier in the campaign, Trump insisted he was loyal to his loyalists, especially Corey Lewandowski. That was then. This is now.

Huffington Post reporter Michelle Fields, who accused Lewandowski of assaulting her in March and quit Breitbart News because she didn’t feel supported, responded to his firing: “Hey @CLewandowski_ I hear @BreitbartNews is hiring.”

Take a number: $2,000

We like Frank Fat’s steak and onions a lot, although not $2,000 worth. Even so, there’s something quaint about Sen. Ted Gaines’ luncheon fundraiser at Fat’s today. It’s $4,200 for a sponsor and $2,000 for an individual.

More often these days, legislators sweeten fundraisers by holding them at concerts, games and theme parks. Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia hosted donors at Britney Spears and Mariah Carey concerts Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas. It was $4,200 for both shows, $2,500 for one.

Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian is offering a VIP tour of Universal Studios this Friday, at $2,500 for two ducats, or $4,200 for four, plus a hotel. Donors and lobbyists can ingratiate themselves with politicians while using their expense accounts to catch shows or score points with the family by bringing them along.

It’s only other people’s money.

Our take

Editorial: Prepare for another summer apocalypse, and be careful out there.

Foon Rhee: Will Mike Wiley’s golden parachute sink Regional Transit?

Erika D. Smith: Grit over grace, that’s #Believeland.

Dan Walters: California cap-and-trade emission auctions could face bleak future.

Sara Radcliffe’s Soapbox: Sen. Ed Hernandez’s legislation, SB 1010, won’t lower drug prices.

Soapbox: Governor, Legislature can’t forget about crumbling highways.

Their take

The San Francisco Chronicle: Gov. Jerry Brown shouldn’t hesitate to approve a $5 million line item pushed by Sen. Lois Wolk to create a new gun research institute at the University of California. We agree.

The Orange County Register: Sen. John Moorlach is right to warn that California is mortgaging its future. And about that high-speed rail boondoggle, Shafter is a long way from Santa Ana.

David French in The National Review: Evangelicals should not bend their knees to Trump.

The Miami Herald: Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro has dodged and bullied his way out of holding any vote on his future, so the United States must be prepared to play hardball.

The Seattle Times: End the corrupted EB-5 visa program.

Syndicates’ take

Paul Krugman: A tale of two parties, as reflected by Hillary Clinton and Trump.

Trudy Rubin: European counties looked away as religious radicalism took root.

Michael Gerson: It’s time for GOP establishment to disown Trump.

Eugene Robinson: Trump’s attacks on freedom of religion.

Unfinished business

The Legislature approved the budget last week but left several items undone, including whether to fund rebates for Californians who purchase electric and plug-in vehicles. The California Air Resources Board, which oversees the rebate program, responded by posting this notice:

“Important Information from the State of California

“Funding is currently exhausted. All applications submitted after June 10, 2016 will be placed on a rebate wait list.”

This story was originally published June 21, 2016 at 5:31 AM with the headline "Dalai Lama, guns, Donald Trump’s mistake and summer heat."