Former Nebraska Senator and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says civility is the glue that binds a society.

Hagel, a Republican, told an audience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln the country needs to return to civility in its political discourse. . .

Hagel and former Senator Bob Kerrey both say they remain optimistic about the country’s future during a joint appearance at Innovation Campus.

Kerrey, a Democrat who also served as Nebraska governor, says it is too easy today to use social media to terrify a political opponent. . .

Kerrey says he doesn’t have an answer, except that if you don’t fight against hate, it wins.