The Polk Progress was a Nebraska treasure that ceased publication in late 1989 after 82 years as a weekly newspaper. From 1955 until its last issue, the editor and publisher was the late Norris Alfred. In its last few months, the Progress had 900 subscribers in 45 states. Alfred was a remarkable Nebraskan with an uncanny eye for connecting the present with the future. Prairie Fire has collaborated with the Alfred family, the University of Nebraska School of Journalism and the Nebraska State Historical Society to locate and archive many of Norris's writings. We are capitalizing on our good fortune to present many of the Norris Alfred writings to our readership. We believe that his observations are as fresh and relevant to today's world as they were when originally written.

March 13, 1980 "Terrorism"

Terrorism results from desperation. We can recall, as a small boy about the age of the apprentice printer, playing with two boyhood pals, Everett Stouffer and Fredrick Allison. Sometimes, when three are together, two will join forces against one. We became the target of the joint forces of Everett and Fred. We were the youngest and smallest and stoically submitted to the teasing and jostling until suddenly, lashing out with fists and feet and screams, we reestablished our rights and respect. Of course, we didn’t analyze our actions in those terms. We had had enough and can still recall their looks of amazement and disbelief at the small bundle of overt venom they had aroused. We were terror, personified.

Attempts of the United States to maintain consumption of more than its share of the earth’s resources has helped bully smaller nations to desperate action, including terrorism. From this perch it seems ridiculous to threaten war and nuclear holocaust over the right to believe radio and television commercials. We should have a more noble vision of life in these United States.

So much of what we believe we need is unnecessary. Denying ourselves the unnecessary is not a sacrifice. No one can rightly claim a semitruck load of Hostess cup cakes is essential to life. Hubba Bubba bubble gum, a square of which the apprentice printer urged us to try with “It’s good” had us wondering what the founding fathers had in mind when the Declaration of Independence was written.