By Frank Sesno
Director, School of Media and Public Affairs

How did I spend my summer vacation?  I got some time in at the beach.  Thought a lot about tar balls but didn't see any.   I downsized now that the kids are gone.  We single-handedly restocked the consignment store shelves.  

And I spent time Considering the Venom in Our Political Debate -- and the high-voltage amplification our digital media are giving it.  The name calling and wiki-leaking and decibel level from all sides are deafening, yes, but they're also impeding our ability to govern ourselves and conduct anything resembling civil discourse.  Casualties of this escalating trend include America's debt and deficit, our energy policy and our ability to debate and legislate.  It's noise first, reflection later.  I spoke about some of this over the weekend on CNN's Reliable Sources.