despite the nsa’s history of spying on us citizens, senate democrats joined republicans in reauthorizing section 702 of the foreign intelligence surveillance act, which allows the nsa to sweep up communications between americans and foreign targets without a warrant. the bill, which passed in the house of representatives last week without an amendment adding modest protections against abuses, also contains measures enhancing the fbi’s powers to spy on americans without a warrant.

is it any wonder we feel a ghostly presence? our government is haunting us, not like real ghosts, who are benign as dreams, these ghosts can take you and disappear you in the space between heartbeats. a ghost of a chance is our existence.