Show us the money

Re “The $100 question,” Opinion, Oct. 16

Regarding Paul Whitefield’s essay about finding $100 on the sidewalk: It was mine.

Not in the sense that I, personally, dropped it, but in the sense that over the years, I am sure I have lost at least that much to the sidewalk, in dribs and drabs.

So it’s mine, cosmically speaking, and I’d like it back.

If he sends the $100 to me, I promise to spend it on Cub Scout materials for my son.

It wasn’t “like stealing” when he picked it up, and it wasn’t “like losing” when I lost it. But as a writer, I think it is safe for me to say that Mr. W., being in the editing profession, could use a little karmic boost.

George Waters

Pasadena

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I feel compelled to respond, as you obviously have found this money unintentionally, you are gainfully employed -- and you are ridden with guilt as to what to do.

Anyone who would carelessly lose a $100 bill obviously is reckless with their money. Someone apparently shoved this bill in his pocket hurriedly, and while possibly extracting his keys, dropped it. “Found money” -- finders keepers. Don’t waste moral and ethical energy on the obvious carelessness of those who are responsible for their own actions.

Charles Leon Riverside

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The writer doesn’t know what to do with his lucky find? Suggestion: Give it to Bessie Mae Berger -- the 97-year-old homeless mother on The Times’ front page.

Tom Tomeoni

Thousand Oaks