Pubdate: Tue, 24 Aug 1999 Source: Orange County Register (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Orange County Register Contact: http://www.ocregister.com/ Author: Anita Bass-Costa Mesa I'M FOR FULL DISCLOSURE When an individual is a candidate for the highest office in the land why is he or she not compelled, prior to the nominating conventions to have every possible background check dating back to "day one"? Customarily, applicants for public - or private-sector positions are subject to detailed scrutiny without the privilege of omitting "youthful indiscretions." Nonetheless, it is not for the applicant to determine what indiscretions are omitted. Moreover, it is not for a presidential candidate to determine which of his "youthful indiscretions" are not subject to public scrutiny. The stakes are too high. Anita Bass Costa Mesa - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea