The massacre in Orlando clearly gives a boost to Donald Trump’s cynical goal of further enflaming the rage and fear that such vicious acts evoke. The Donald has certainly received a shameful, blood-stained “gift” from this, and those who are already in his camp will be further solidified in their adherence to his apocalyptic, fear-mongering exaggerations.

But I hope that those on the borderline, who share in the outrage that most of us feel, will not be lured across that border into support for Trump’s demagoguery, fakery and lying.

Unless Trump were to become dictator of the United States, i.e. DOTUS, he will not be able to build a wall and have Mexico pay for it, nor be able to deport U.S. citizens who are Muslims, and will not get rid of Obamacare.

He suggests letting Japan and South Korea develop nuclear bombs, and admires Putin. He brags about married women he has seduced, even while in his own third marriage, and yet castigates Bill Clinton’s escapades. He crudely insults people left and right, including many that he would need to work with. Imagine him “dealing” with other countries’ leadership.

He claims he is neither a racist nor bigot, yet continuously employs racism and bigotry to garner supporters. And he also refuses to release his tax information — something all presidential candidates do and have done.

The Donald is a scared man, and his proposals are hare-brained and destructive. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, has called him, rightly enough, a “loud, nasty, thin-skinned fraud.” He calls her “Pocahontas.” Pretty lame, and she is eating his lunch.

Me, I’m 80 and still feeling the Bern, yet hope his supporters will do as I will — hold their noses and vote for Hillary. The Donald as POTUS? No.

Abbott Meader

Oakland