Researchers at the University of Maryland found that -- surprise! -- most Twitter content from Congress was self-promoting stuff linked to press releases or media appearances. What sort of vain, self-promoting kind of person would use the Internet to talk about a media appearance? (Hint: I'll be on WBAL at 2 this afternoon to talk about Constellation Energy and Electricite de France.)

Actually, vacuous Twitter content is what we want to see from our public servants, if we're going to see anything. It can easily be produced by lackeys and interns, saving the congresswoman or senator or governor or whoever for important stuff. Thus, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot's tweet, in reponse to the Congress/Twitter story:

i'm all about constituent interaction, could teach those congressmen

may not be the greatest thing. Do we need the chief executive of the state's revenue authority frequently tweeting and twerping in person? Maybe when we can fit the Maryland tax form on Twitter, but not until.

Likewise, Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill was named best tweeter by the UM folks because it's obvious she creates her own content, like this:

Yes @tigeranniemac that was me at Target in the soap aisle. You shoulda said hi. Was with my daughter Lily. We're very friendly."

No. Please Sen. McCaskill. This is not good use of your time. You're on the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Please go learn about terrorists and Afghanistan. Leave the tweets to the PR people.