it can be very hard to deal with pre-existing relationships that you think are having a negative impact on your friends, especially when the people involved in these relationships have been friends with your friend for a much longer time than you have. often, this person that you find hurtful to your friend in some way (mistreats him/her, puts him/her down, etc.) has been in your new friend's life for years and is only still around out of habit; your friend may not realize that dynamics in the relationship have changed and that it's now destructive and unhealthy. in cases like this, suggesting to your friend that he/she re-evaluate what this old "friend" does for him/her may only make your new friend defensive and mad. after all, they may have some great memories together, which, although in the past, may overshadow the present - at least for now. the only thing to do is not harp on it. pointing out that you don't like the way the old "friend" treats him/her a couple of times is ok, because, hey, you care, and that's gonna come out. but mostly, this is something your friend has to learn for his/herself, and will, as the situation can't last the way it is for very long. tune in tomorrow.