Was the ULA Betrayed?

Was the Underground Literary Alliance betrayed? This question came up recently amid discussions of whether to bring the notorious writers organization back.

The more pertinent question: When was the ULA not betrayed?

Keep in mind that we were attacked full out almost from the opening moment of our creation. Powers-that-be, hearing of our initial protest, wanted our movement strangled in the crib. I began receiving anonymous hate mail, and crank phone calls. A self-proclaimed "corporate hatchet man" known for flame wars began attacking us on-line. ULA members were offered the allure of friendship with power, or the implied threat of banishment from literature. During the ULA's history, the pressure never let up. It goes without saying that we were everywhere scorned and mocked.

We had disturbed a hornet's nest. It's naive to want to believe otherwise.

Some members simply dropped. Others played footsie with our opponents. The kicker is that for those, the payoff turned out to be laughably minor. These are the true facts.