When karma's unkind

Is it ever okay to take joy in the misfortune of others? Is it okay to express that joy? On Facebook? Well, yes. And yes. And yes-if you want your ass kicked. Working with (and living with) young adults, I hear it all of the time. Karma is only acceptable if it's pleasant karma. It's an unspoken law. Taking satisfaction, or acknowledging the presence of consequence is not proper etiquette and is punishable by violence, which is retalitory karma and therefore, justifiable. It gives the bullies a reason. I'm a firm believer that when bad things happen to bad people, the result is good. Negative plus negative equals positve. So why not rejoice? Of course I am careful about with whom I share my delight. Now I do understand that good behavior, bad behavior, and even neutral behavior are subjective. I also understand that Facebook is a festival of fun for catty, cowardly (but seemingly courageous) displays. And it has become common practice to avoid drama by only posting niceties. But life's not like that. And sometimes, just sometimes, people do get what they deserve. Hallefrickenluia! I don't mean to sound like a Republican. And sometimes, I worry about sounding like a Democrat. Sometimes, I wish that I had my own political party, a mix of the best qualities of every party, wrapped up into my own idea of perfect. But all we get is all we get. And it's okay not to like it. It's okay to say that you don't. And it's even okay to get a little giddy when the rotten get got. Just maybe not on Facebook.