COKE MOM ADDS 'MONTEL' SHAME

Since authorities can't arrest Waukesha County's infamous "cocaine mom"
because she took drugs while pregnant, maybe they can bust her for a
serious violation of taste for agreeing to appear on "The Montel Williams
Show."

Apparently not content with the 15 minutes of fame she already has gained
through what some people might call irresponsible behavior, Angela M.W. --
as she is known in court records -- is looking for another 60 minutes of
exposure on talk television.

This is just the sort of sleazy story that does so well on television and
in today's gossip culture. Makes you wonder if someone's standing by with a
book contract and whether Oliver Stone's waiting in the wings to buy the
movie rights.

Ostensibly, the 26-year-old woman who made legal history last year is going
on the show to get help for her drug abuse problem. Sources said she is
also getting $1,200 for the appearance, although officials of the TV show
said they do not pay for appearances; they only pay air fare and hotel
costs.

This is the same woman who has declined for years to get help from local
social workers and doctors for her problem. The same woman who is due to
deliver her fourth child in April and who claims that she stopped using
drugs shortly after learning she was pregnant again -- but who was caught
last month with two crack cocaine pipes.

The Supreme Court ruled correctly last year when it said Waukesha County
authorities had no right to arrest Angela during an earlier pregnancy for
abusing her fetus by taking drugs.

But that's only a legal issue. It in no way excuses behavior that is a
moral outrage to the rest of society, and so potentially damaging to the
woman's children. And now she wants to capitalize on her behavior by taking
it to television.

Maybe someone on the show can explain to Angela the meaning of the word "shame."