# Am I Evil for Feeling this Way? (Somewhat RO) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166 "2012-07-14T01:09:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/1 "2012-07-14T01:09:03Z")
TLDR: Snidely Whiplash-esque ex boss and his sons are facing seizure of assets and possible felony charges; I’m dancing a jig (inside). Prior to working where I am now, the last company I worked for was a total clusterfuck. They treated their customers like shit, and their employees worse. My boss, the son of the company owner, was a particularly loathsome little shit. Nothing anybody ever did was good enough, and if you so much as looked at him the wrong way he’d loudly threaten you with all manner of discipline. People in my division, as well as elsewhere in the company, were routinely screwed out of pay and/or benefits; had our paychecks bounce; and were subject to continual harassment such as arbitrary discipline and random job assignments. Vendors were treated equally as poorly- many had bounced checks, as well. Needless to say, it was not a good situation for anybody who worked for or did business with these shysters. As of Wednesday, the company completely shut down for good. The owner’s problems with the IRS and various state Attorneys General are well-covered in the local press. Several dozen company vehicles are behind a barbed-wire fence. And the scuttlebutt from a former employee in the know is that the owner is going to be indicted soon and will face 8-10 years. I’m bordering on being overjoyed. Does this make me evil? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/2 "2012-07-14T01:15:50Z")
Hell no. Sometimes, things work out right in the end. 🙂 Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Patience\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@Patience\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patience_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/3 "2012-07-14T01:38:33Z")
Every once in a while, there is justice. And it is a good thing. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/4 "2012-07-14T01:42:27Z")
This isn’t RO. This is good old-fashioned (and well-earned) Schadenfreude. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/5 "2012-07-14T05:34:48Z")
This isn’t even close to being evil. This is delight in seeing justice finally served. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/6 "2012-07-14T18:40:59Z")
Jesus, Gahndi, and Martin Luther King Jr. are all looking askance at this question. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/7 "2012-07-14T18:49:13Z")
I couldn’t judge anyone as evil based on their feelings. You can’t control how you feel. He sounds like a terrible person that needed to be shut down, and it’s quite normal that you’re pleased to see his actions have consequences. (Though I can gaurantee you he will never acknowledge that he was wrong.) ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/8 "2012-07-14T18:52:54Z")
Ain’t karma a bitch? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Surb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@The\_Surb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Surb)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/9 "2012-07-14T19:12:27Z")
Send them a Hallmark card. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/10 "2012-07-14T20:43:35Z")
Not at all. But I always end up feeling sorry for these types of people because they have no clue as to how to live enjoyably. These people have carried a misery inside them, trying to survive financially at a high emotional cost for a precarious level that even they know is doomed to fail long before the rest of us find out. They are simply losers. My question would be, “Am I weird for feeling this way ?” ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/11 "2012-07-14T20:56:15Z")
Spread the joy! Got a link? ---
**Author:** ![Enuma\_Elish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5e9695/32.png) [@Enuma\_Elish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enuma_Elish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/12 "2012-07-14T20:57:04Z")
Evil - no. Human - yes. Normal - yup. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/13 "2012-07-14T23:07:30Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Spread the joy! Got a link? [http://www.illinoistimes.com/Springfield/article-10257-end-of-the-roadshow.html](http://www.illinoistimes.com/Springfield/article-10257-end-of-the-roadshow.html) This article doesn’t mention the possible felony charges. At this point those are merely rumor. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/14 "2012-07-15T00:27:42Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Sometimes, things work out right in the end. And if not, a jar of Vaseline mailed to his PO box in the Penn should smooth things over… ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/15 "2012-07-15T03:23:31Z")
I’d feel bad for the former employees who have to find a new job, but no, you’re not evil at all. I’d feel exactly the same way in your place. There’s even a term for this, _[schadenfraude](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfraude)_. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/16 "2012-07-15T03:30:28Z")
To me people like this are the socio-economic version of serial killers. Could they even help themselves? Who really knows. But at the very least they are going away and will no longer spread their misery upon innocent and decent members of society. And that aspect is IMO is certainly something to be happy and grateful for. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/17 "2012-07-15T03:34:03Z")
Karmas a bitch, baby. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/18 "2012-07-15T04:14:36Z")
Nah. Now feeling good if they died might be a little evil. But the logical consequences for their actions? I wouldn’t even count it as schadenfreude. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/19 "2012-07-15T08:11:19Z")
I’ve never been a fan of kicking people when they’re down so you might be a little bit evil if you’re actively adding to their troubles. I wouldn’t worry about it though. Everyone is a little bit evil and that’s a good thing. The trick is to get your payback and then get on with your life. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-evil-for-feeling-this-way-somewhat-ro/628166/20 "2012-07-15T10:39:52Z")
Then when _is_ it a good time to kick somebody?