Pence, announcing this Orwellian “ceasefire,” a grotesque evisceration of the Kurds: “I want to thank the millions of Americans who were carrying this moment in prayer.” That’s what this is about: reassuring the evangelical base, distressed by the sacrifice of Christian Kurds.

Pence describing Turkish seizure of free Kurdish ground as a “safe zone” — from which Kurds must evacuate asap or slaughter resumes — is the murder of language. “Safe zone.” Every time he says the words my stomach turns.

— Jeff Sharlet (@JeffSharlet) October 17, 2019