text: Great article, and not just because I agree with much of it. Two points: 1) I am astonished at how widely  Merkel's comments  are being 'interpreted'. Trump's abuse of language and imprecision of thought have quickly become applied to others. Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar. 2) Merkel is better placed to speak 'truth to power' than Trudeau, and most other leaders.