Euphemism is integral to every level of atrocity, from collateral damage to legitimate target to final solution. A new one is marinating right now in the White House kitchen: binary choice.

It has absorbed all the necessary essences of modern evil. It has just the right self-cancelling contrariness of flavour: “binary” as the seasoning of technological rigour and moral neutrality, “choice” with the humane hint of sweetness and light. But it tastes of evil.