The Bush administration's fondness for secrecy and aversion to transparency came to a head this week when it waited 24 hours to inform the American people that Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot a man.

After not holding a press conference for more than three years, Cheney finally came forward yesterday in an interview with Fox News.

His decision to comment publicly was the first good decision he's made since spraying Austin attorney Harry Whittington with pellets into the face, neck and chest on Saturday.

A public official as influential as Cheney does not have the option of saying an accidental shooting is a private matter. By virtue of his position alone, Cheney and his staff have the responsibility of disclosing an incident as soon as possible to the public. After all, he is the vice president of the United States.

According to a Feb. 15 CNN article, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said the information was not released about the incident until they were sure Whittington received proper medical attention.

But it's highly unlikely that the members of Cheney's public relations crew were the ones actually hoisting Whittington onto a stretcher and into an ambulance.

While it is understandable that Cheney wanted to take care of the matter privately before informing the public, he should have had the foresight to see the importance of full disclosure immediately. If it were just an accident, why try to keep it a secret?

By releasing the information so late and by remaining tight-lipped for so long, the vice president only added merit to the opinion that the Bush administration arrogantly believes it does not owe the American people explanations for its actions -- whether they be about the war in Iraq or an accidental shooting at a South Texas ranch.

In reality, it only makes Cheney look guilty.

Cheney made an accidental hunting mistake when he opened fire on Whittington. But he intentionally let down the American people when he tried to keep the matter quiet.