I remember back in 2001 when the government was trying to pass the Patriot Act, they tried to ease people’s privacy concerns with the phrase “If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear.”

So now the tables have turned and it’s time for we the people to make the same statement to the government when it comes to the McCook detention center. If they have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear.

But they must feel they have a lot to fear because Governor Pillen and by extension the Republican leaders in the Unicameral keep refusing to release all the details about repurposing the work camp in McCook. Why won’t they give us more information into transforming a smaller state prison into a larger federal detention center for immigrants?

I don’t think it’s too much to ask for all the details about what is to transpire at the Midwest’s version of Alligator Alcatraz. If they have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear.

Right?

State Senators Machaela Cavanaugh and Ashlei Spivey of the Unicameral’s appropriations committee have sent a letter to their committee’s chair requesting a public briefing on just what is going to take place in McCook.

They are the latest legislators trying to get information. So far, attempts to get more information to the public have fallen on the Governor’s deaf ears. The Judiciary Committee refused to hold a public hearing. The Urban Affairs Committee did hold a public hearing, but Jim Pillen and his staff refused to participate and answer any questions.

Democracy dies in Darkness. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. A project as important as transforming the Work Ethic Camp into a migrant detention center deserves to have full transparency. It will never have full public support, but if our tax dollars and resources are being used for a project of this magnitude, we have a right to know all the details.

Is Governor Pillen ashamed of what’s he’s doing? Is he humiliated on how he must bow down to President Trump hoping that he can gain his endorsement for reelection?

Does Governor Pillen feel bad about how this project is separating parents from their children? Or does he only care about kids when he can use them as a political prop?

Enquiring minds want to know.

The Pillen administration seems to have contempt for the citizens of Nebraska. They have blocked the will of the people when it comes to Medical Marijuana. They have ignored the voters on the issue of school choice. And now they are stonewalling our representatives looking for answers about McCook.

I can’t understand why Governor Pillen isn’t sharing this information readily. Is he ashamed? Are there illegal, sweetheart, under the table deals being made that he doesn’t want us to know about? Is it going to cost Nebraskans more than the Federal Government is willing to pay us? Who knows? What is he hiding? Does he have something to fear?

Yes, the repurposing of the McCook Work Ethic camp is controversial. Which makes it even more of a reason to be completely open about the process. The secrecy creates suspicion. Suspicion creates conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories undermine people’s faith in government.

If the Democrats run a candidate against Governor Pillen in the general election, they will more than likely use the Detention Center against him. That’s true whether he releases this information or not. Keeping all the details under wraps just gives his political opponent more ammunition.

So come on Governor. Show your constituents why this immigrant detention center in McCook is a good thing for the state. Let us know what it’s going to cost. Who is going to be detained. What happens to the Nebraska prisoners doing time in McCook?

Be proud of how you are treating immigrants working our farms and packing houses. Quit hiding from the state senators and the people of Nebraska.

If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear.

I fear a government that feels they have something to hide.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

Opinions expressed by columnists in The Daily Record are not necessarily those of its management or staff, and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Any errors or omissions should be called to our attention so that they may be corrected. Contact us at news@omahadailyrecord.com.