Jose Bucksbaum of Davenport, Iowa is involved in many organizations, all of which seem to work well with him, instead of taking away from one another. “They complement each other,” Bucksbaum said. “I don’t see a conflict of interest. I dedicate time to different things covering different aspects.”
Bucksbaum is married to Caryl Bucksbaum, PHD, a retired university professor and they have two sons and two daughters. The Santiago, Chile-born native is very active in the community and is the Affirmative Action Chair for the Scott County Democratic Party. He is also Vice Chair for the Davenport Cable Franchise Committee which will be negotiating a new contract with Mediacom.
Bucksbaum was the Scott County Chair for Senator Chris Dodd’s presidential campaign, and earlier this year was named president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Quad City Chapter that serves both Scott and Rock Island Counties.
In college, he loved politics, with one of his first encounters being with Fidel Castro who was interested in liberating Cuba from being an exploited U.S. colony. His interest in civil rights came from his native Chile. “I was born in a Chilean Democracy where no torture did exist at that time. When I was there, for me individual liberties were very valued. Man has to be free to reach its full capabilities,” Bucksbaum said.
Even today, Bucksbaum keeps in touch with his native Chile by telephone, email and by reading El Mercurio on the internet, a newspaper of his hometown Santiago. “(Salvador) Allende (Chilean president from 1970-1973) was a disaster, totalitarian. He tried to make Chile another Cuba. Chileans are not Cubans. (Augusto) Pinochet opened doors to free economy,” he said about his native Chile.
The current more intense interest in civil rights for Bucksbaum comes from Senator Chris Dodd. “If there’s a man that supports civil liberties, it’s Chris Dodd,” he said.
Bucksbaum was so inspired by Dodd, he closed the Feb. meeting of the ACLU with him in mind saying Dodd has “been an inspiration for me, his behavior, and that’s the reason I’m sitting here today in front of you (as president). Today, the Senate passed a bill to expand the United States’ spying power and Senator Dodd had this to say, ‘This bill will be remembered for future generations as a test of whatever the country has, a rule of law or a rule of men.’”
Bucksbaum continued, “Beside granting immunity to the telephone company executives, the bill also has a provision that gives power to the National Security agents to eavesdrop on groups of overseas targets rather than using usual warrants. They will be able to spy in every overseas telephone communication that we have overseas. Since Senator Dodd has fought this bill, I want to publicly comment that I personally am thankful to him for defending our rights.”
Bucksbaum’s biggest fear is that his group will fail in contacting enough people for the ACLU. “It is the only organization or one of a few that keeps track on the government for infractions on our rights. If you feel your rights or someone else’s has been violated contact Verne Callson at (309) 797-8373.”
The ACLU Quad City Chapter meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church, 3707 Eastern Ave. in Davenport, Iowa. Basic individual membership is $20. For more information call (563) 322-1914 or by email at: [email protected].
“There are movies, books, chat, all sorts of information, and prominent people coming to speak. It’s a benefit for all persons,” Jose Bucksbaum said, “to know their rights.”
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