Karma Cleanser - October 30 2002

?Dear Karma Cleanser:
I had to respond to the letter about "Dickhead," (Oct. 9) the lottery player who expected to win. I had a similar situation a few years back, a good friend of mine was dropping $50-$100 a week on lottery tickets. I constantly scolded him for wasting his money. He won $5 million. It ruined his life. -- R.W.

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Dear R.W.: We don't normally do this, but the Karma Cleanser is intrigued. Tell us more. Did it really ruin his life or are you being sarcastic?

br>?Dear Karma Cleanser:
No sarcasm. He just recently went to jail (he got a DUI; there was an accident involved). The easy money accelerated an already "fast" lifestyle, and made it too easy to make bad choices. Last I heard, the accident victim had acquired a lawyer, and was in the process of trying to relieve my friend of some, if not all, of the money. It's rather sad. But it's not a joke. -- R.W

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And there you have it, kids. If you're gonna play the lottery, you'd better stop drinking.

br>?Dear Karma Cleanser:
I am a member of a gym. I am aware that men will discuss other members while there, asking, "Would you go out with so-and-so?" What would you do if you overheard the question and an answer that was negative, plus a put-down and several remarks about why the man would not go out with the woman? In this instance, I was the one referred to in the conversation.

I thought that was rude and insensitive. I did not even know the individual who made the negative remark, much less ever interact with him. And he is middle-aged and no beauty himself. I was surprised that some ugly man who does not know me would have the nerve to disparage me.

Should I ignore the incident? Should I verbally rip him to shreds within earshot? I am quite capable of crushing him. My instinct tells me that I should not ignore the remarks and that the perp should be made aware that he was overheard. I feel wronged and I want to teach the creep a lesson, which is when you say something negative about someone, the someone might hear you. -- Annoyed

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The Karma Cleanser rarely urges our letter writers to ignore their instincts; usually that little voice inside is the voice of truth. But in this case, we say let it go. Don't sink to the level of this asshole. Channel that anger into your workout.

Been bad? Decompress and confess to karma@creativeloafing.com.??