Dear calie: I have no interest in providing a forum to or giving the appearance of supporting the sort of nonsense concocted by the self-named Scorpion and the Chairman of the Alphas.  Call Me just plain silly, but I hardly think that an alleged dominant who threatens to "eradicate" a person or an alleged submissive who calls herself “The Scorpion�?and gloats about being a predator demonstrate that they have much to contribute in the way of relevant learning tools for people who are credibly serious about “the Lifestyle.�?nbsp; Moreover, I am familiar enough with the Newbie's Challenge 2007 to recognize its similarity to the Challenge 2006 version which was a poorly disguised exercise in agenda manufacturing that attempted to perpetuate the myth of the Alpha species. Ironically it turned into an expose of fraud, facade, and fantasy that culminated in the same sort of vendetta that blossom has been subjected to. What the Newbie's Challenge 2006 made clear is that anyone who dared to challenge "The Challenge" would be attacked with false accusations, insults, and the same sort of demented, psychological warfare that blossom has shared here.  One submissive was taken to task because she eloquently expressed her concerns and skepticism of the Alpha concept.  It seems that the Scorpion had a difficult time when someone more intelligent and articulate dares to disagree with her babble.  Like blossom, this submissive was attacked in the cowardly "ganging up" tactics of the Alpha pack that have become familiar to those who have been their target. MasterAnus, "one of the Gorean Guardians" of The Scorpion, fabricated a claim that the submissive had made the Alphas out to be Nazis.  There was no truth to this. Nowhere did she ever use the term Nazi.  She simply had referenced the book Brave New World as an example of why the term Alpha might have a negative connotation for some people. After establishing his falsehood, however, the Guardian continued his attack in a mumble jumble of third-person speak, ferociously expressing self-righteous anger for this fraudulent affront to his make believe "honor."  The Chairman of the Alphas chimed in as he sunk into the same cesspool of insults and fabrications of his Alpha “Brother�?to chastise the submissive   After these two fine examples of a Duminant had laid the groundwork with their assaults, the Scorpion joined in the attack with one of her scurrilous rants. Although not nearly as vitriolic, other members posted responses just as ignorant and condescending in their tacit support of the assault on the submissive. The goose-stepping rhythm of follow the leader permeated the thread. Newbies Challenge 2006 was a fiasco that ended up hurting a number of people.  Like the submissive I spoke of, they possessed enough of a healthy perspective to see through the manipulations of the Alphas to walk away.  They joined a long line of former Alpha friends as well as former co-owners and hosts who, in one way or another, had become targets themselves.  All of these folks have something in common with blossom, they came to understand the duplicity, deceit, and cruelty that resides in the Home of the Alphas.  It is fascinating to watch how the ranks have continued to swell. The Scorpion’s claim that she could not post blossom’s article without permission rings hollow.  She has not let it stop her from doing this in the past.  The fact is, this thread originated because an article debunking the Alpha species theory pointed out that The Scorpion had posted the words of another.  It was obviously done without permission as she did not cite the source and attempted to make it look as if they were hers.  Furthermore, she posted the article in her Comm without permission, as a way to deliver one of her hysterical, deceitful, character-smearing tirades that usually follow when she is held accountable. Based on her past practices, it would appear that the Scorpion only mentioned not posting blossom’s article as way to taunt and hurt her further. I recognize that you found value in the Newbies Challenge calie, and feel a need to give blossom the opportunity to post her article.  Perhaps you could best fulfill that need by having her post it in your Comm, that is, if she is even still interested.  I think you can see by the commentary throughout this thread, its continuation in Alpha Antics, and in the recent thread started by blossom that many have reached out to her. As Z kindly and wisely encouraged her to “try and put all of this in the past �?Let the past go, and begin a new journey�?�? I’d say blossom has taken this to heart and begun a new journey for herself.  ﺼﺸ§hìftìñgWìñdﻌﺼ