For eight years, I labored in the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University. When I started in 1999, I knew little about Murrow other than he had a famous name and solid journalistic reputation.

I learned quite a bit more about him over the next eight years, so when it was to the university's advantage, I was touted as an expert source on Murrow, even thought I don't believe I am a true "expert" in anything. Nobody really is, and humility should keep all of us from claiming such a lofty title.

I have high respect for Murrow - or, more specifically, his accomplishments, ethical perspectives, honesty and principles. He is known as the gold standard when it comes to journalism, and he is best known as a famous television newsman who would not comprise what he thought was right, regardless of the consequences. In that regard, he is someone we can all model, even though I admit being like Mike (I mean, Ed) is a tall order.

But this column isn't a tribute to one of my journalistic heroes. While I could write lines upon lines about Murrow, I mention him only to share one of his famous quotes as a transition into another topic.

"This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise, it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful."

We all know how the weapon of television is being used today; it fires too many blanks. Lindsey Buckingham, the great American guitarist and singer best known for his work with Fleetwood Mac, wrote a song that shows media disgust titled "Murrow Turning Over in His Grave."

But let's forget for the moment about television. Murrow's famous quote from a 1958 speech to the radio and television news directors is extremely valid today when it comes to the Internet. It can teach, illuminate and inspire, but only to the extent humans use it to those ends. Otherwise, it is wires and lights in a box (technology on steroids). The Internet can be a useful weapon against ignorance, intolerance and indifference.

The Internet is wonderful. It's a great social networking experience. Commerce applications abound. Information is aplenty and easily accessible. And the platform of dissemination is the future (which is now). But the Internet isn't perfect.

Still, many of the "my bad" applications can be avoided. For instance, while inappropriate Web sites tempt many, I don't view them, and I try to be conscious of my employer's time and not surf with the best in cyberspace. Case in point: our Web site traffic has been known to spike dramatically in views over the last half-hour or hour of the work day.

Online gambling is not a problem for me. I wouldn't know how to enter a poker room or wager in the day-trader arena.

I control my Internet usage. But there is one thing I have little control over, and it drives me crazy. The Internet is responsible for the curse of e-mail.

Everyone in the world seems to have my e-mail address. I spend hours a day sorting through the morass, determining as quickly as possible what needs attention and what is an attention stealer. It is part of my job, but something really needs to be done with e-mail abuse.

I had 272 unopened deleted items over a four-day period last week, the majority from people living in states far away from North Dakota and complaining not so civilly or fairly about Barack Obama, John McCain, Sarah Palin, Joe Biden, George Bush, the economy, high gas prices or "you name it." And there were a couple hundred more that seemed as if they were important, or local, but were only cleverly disguised.

Mine is a love-hate relationship with e-mail. I love it when it saves time and work is accomplished. But I hate it when it is sublime and ridiculous.

(You can reach Editor John Irby at 250-8266 or john.irby and go to www.bismarcktribune.com/blog/?w=thepaper&e_id=2671/ to read his blog.) @bismarcktribune.com