WEILAND RECEIVES MERE SLAP ON WRIST

Latest Arrest Not To Disturb Recording

Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll is the creed most rock stars live by. But if
you're Scott Weiland, former frontman of '90s alt-rock band Stone Temple
Pilots, it is just the drugs. Lots of drugs.

For the umpteenth time, Weiland was arrested in relation to his drug use,
being ordered on Oct. 30 to report to a live-in detox program followed by
six months in a residential drug rehab center, according to Reuters.

The ruling stemmed from Weiland's arrest on Oct. 27 - his 36th birthday -
for crashing into a parked car in Hollywood and leaving the scene of the
accident. He was charged with driving under the influence. At the time of
the arrest already was undergoing a court ordered drug counseling program.

To rock music fans, the news is not surprising. Weiland has a long history
of drug abuse - specifically his storied heroin addiction, which landed him
in jail in 1999. The tragedy his life has become also has affected his
music output.

Over the years his personal problems held up STP records in mid-production,
national tours had to be canceled, all the while alienating his fan base
who got fed up with his former band's sporadic musical output.

But, what is more astonishing is how he has been able to avoid serious jail
time or death by drug overdose.

Although an official arrest or court history was not immediately available
it can be safely assumed he has been in trouble with the law dozens of
times in the last 10 years. Every so often his name pops up in the media.
Whether it be simple battery against his former wife or possession of a
narcotic, the courts of Los Angeles have done little or nothing to punish
his criminal behavior.

Now, I love his music just as much as anyone else, but what's right is
right. Weiland should be paying the price more severely. Giving him
probation or committing him to a drug rehabilitation program has been the
answer in the past, but it obviously has not worked.

On his most recent offense it appears the judge has even shown a bit of
humility - as if he deserves it. Pasadena Superior Court Commissioner
Collette Serio said she would allow Weiland out of the live-in rehab center
for a 10-day period starting Nov. 7 for four hours a day so he can finish
recording an album with his new band Velvet Revolver.

I think this decision is ludicrous and will only prove to coddle Weiland's
trespasses. It shows him that no matter how much he screws up, he will not
pay the full price because he is a celebrity. Although he will be
accompanied by a police officer and tested immediately upon his return,
would the judge have shown as much humility for a run - of - the - mill
business man or even a house wife? I doubt it.

Last month Courtney Love was arrested for allegedly breaking into the Los
Angeles home of her ex-boyfriend. The Associated Press reported that hours
later, Love overdosed on painkillers in front of Frances Bean, her
11-year-old daughter with Kurt Cobain.

Subsequently, Los Angeles County child services took Bean away from Love.
The court also admitted Love to a psychiatric ward for making a suicide
threat. Although Love is furious for the removal of her daughter, it was
the right decision on the part of the city.

Why cant L.A. get it right with Weiland?

No matter the level of celebrity, people should not be allowed to break the
law at their whim with the presumption that they will not be punished.
Weiland is a talented individual, but enough is enough. I'm afraid those
around him will not realize how dire his situation until it is too late.