Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 4:40 pm Post subject: Welcome to the Tooker Gomberg Memorial
Discussion Forum
Reply with quote
Welcome to the Tooker Gomberg Memorial Discussion Forum
(homepage: www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg )
On March 4, 2004, controversial writer, activist and politician Tooker Gomberg was reported missing and is
presumed dead. One of Canada's most daring and controversial public figures, his loss is being grieved
across the country and around the world.
This is a place to learn about Tooker, his life and ideas. It's also a place to discuss how to pursue the ideas
and ideals in which Gomberg so strongly believed. You are welcome to share your thoughts, feelings and
announcements about Tooker and what he stood for.
Many have already posted wonderful tributes, memories of Tooker, announcements of gatherings and
events, links and more . . .
Forum Contents:
Tooker Gomberg Memorial Discussion Forum - Index
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=19
Tooker's Writings, News & Links:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67
Upcoming Events and Memorials Across Canada:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=154
(revised Friday March 19)
Forum Homepage:
Tooker Gomberg Discussion Forum & Bulletin Board
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/ (includes photo of Tooker)
(If you mention this forum to others or plan on creating
a link, please use this address).
- Peter Blanchard
People- & Planet-Friendly
www.planetfriendly.net
_______________________________________
How to post a message:
(1) REGISTER – create yourself a free account on the forum. To do so, just click "Register", at top right. If you
come back later to post again, click "Log in". To register, all you need is an e-mail account. Privacy concerns:
Your e-mail address will not be visible to others (unless you manually type it into your message or
signature). You do not need to provide any personal information, just leave it blank. You can even use a
pseudonym if you like.
(2) TO POST: Once you've registered/logged in, just click the oval "New Topic" or "Post Reply" button, near
top left.
P.S. Please note that this is a moderated forum. Disrespectful or inappropriate posts will be removed at the
discretion of the moderator. We also reserve the right to edit subject lines for clarity and brevity.
Last edited by Peter Blanchard on Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:23 pm; edited 8 times in total
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 1:16 pm Post subject: Memorial Events in Toronto: Tales, Big Pharma, Full
Moon Rid
Reply with quote
Tooker Gomberg Memorial: Tales, Big Pharma and Full
Moon Ride for TaketheTooker Bloor St. Bike Lane!
Sat. March 3, 7:30 p.m.
341 Bloor St. W. Toronto (at St. George)
On the 3rd anniversary of Tooker Gomberg's passing,
please join us for...
- Ritual to honor Tooker's passing
- Tale-telling to celebrate his life
- Moon gazing -- Mar. 3 is a full moon and a full
lunar eclipse
- Special screening of the 2006 video documentary:
"Big Bucks, Big Pharma:
Marketing Disease and Pushing Drugs"
"Big Bucks, Big Pharma" pulls back the curtain on the
multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry to expose
the insidious ways that illness is used, manipulated,
and in some instances created, for capital gain. "Big
Bucks, Big Pharma" challenges us to ask important
questions about the consequences of relying on a
for-profit industry for our health and well-being.
Then, if your feelin hardy, join us for a critical
mass bike ride along Bloor/Danforth in celebration of
Take The Tooker, our future east/west bicycle
expressway, fueled by organic hot chocolate courtesy
of Choco Sol. Meet at 10 p.m. at Bloor and St. George.
Free. For more info call Shannon, or ira:
(416) 534-9033 x 1 or email greenspi@web.ca
Poster:
http://www.greenspiration.org/posters/postertoronto.pdf
Sponsored by:
Greenspiration http://www.Greensiration.org
Take The Tooker http://www.takethetooker.ca
Choco Sol http://www.chocosoltraders.com/
BoilingFrog http://boilingfrog.ca/
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Eulogies for Tooker and Stories for
a healthy mind, body and planet
http://www.greenspiration.org
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:55 pm Post subject: If things are so bad, why don't you just...
with quote
"The most common words I hear spoken by any environmentalists
anywhere are, 'We're f*cked'. ...People sometimes ask me,
'If things are so bad, why don't you just kill yourself?' The
answer is that life is really, really good. I am a complex
enough being that I can hold in my heart the understanding
that we are really, really f*cked, and at the same time that
life is really, really good. I am full of rage, sorrow, joy,
love, hate, despair, happiness, satisfaction, dissatisfaction,
Reply
and a thousand other feelings. We are really f*cked. Life
is still really good."
-- from Beyond Hope,
by Derrick Jenson, ORION Magazine, May/June 2006
www.oriononline.org/pages/om/06-3om/Jensen.html
see also... WANTED: POSITIVE PERSON
http://www.planetfriendly.net/gwd.php?id=2286
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:57 am Post subject: HealthyMBPTour&freeZineLaunch AprilFoolsDay
Reply with quote
Tour & "Depression Expression" free Zine Launch on April Fools Day
Healthy Mind, Body, Planet - A Multi-Media Tour, & Tabloid Launch on April Fools Day
Tour & Tabloid will be launched at Union Station in Toronto at 10:00 AM, Saturday April 1st 2006
Exclamation Very Happy
25,000 copies of "Depression Expression" free tabloid will be distributed along the tour in 23 cities across
Canada. Razz
The word "yoga" in sanskriti means "union", Angela, Bridjet & Kelly also invite you do some yoga that
morning at Union Station Wink
For more info about the tour, schedule, dates, locations, posters(pdf files) visit: Arrow
www.greenspiration.org Mr. Green
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ras
Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject: Healthy Mind, Body, Planet - A Multi-Media Tour,
Tabloid an
Reply with quote
April 6 - June 13, 2006 - cities and towns across Canada
Healthy Mind, Body, Planet is a cross-Canada multi-media tour,
tabloid and documentary celebrating the most current information,
analysis and inspiration related to mental, physical and planetary
health. We will look at the reasons for the recent rise in
depression, and at the myriad of treatments available, including
pharmaceutical and holistic, within the context of Big-Pharma and
corporate culture.
We will honor the late Tooker Gomberg by concentrating on the role
that mental illness and associated treatments played in his tragic
death, and provide comprehensive information on sustainable activism
as well as complementary and alternative treatments to sound mental
health.
This presentation is a multi-media kaleidoscope of images, sounds,
and stories critiquing our current state and offering direction for
positive change. Participants will walk away motivated to influence
their world with greater awareness and tools.
The tour presentations will be complemented by a newspaper tabloid,
websites, podcast/blogs (written, audio and video), and a video
documentary.
For more information and tour dates, please visit www.Greenspiration.org
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:25 pm Post subject: topical links, resources, opportunities
with quote
People & Planet Editor adds... topical links, resources & opportunities:
Greenspiration (Tooker Gomberg & Angela Bischoff's website)
http://www.Greenspiration.org
Boiling Frog (distribution and showing of books, videos and
other "media materials dealing with the many issues either
Reply
contributing to the rising heat, or efforts to turn it down")
http://www.boilingfrog.ca
~~~~~
Stress
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_%28medicine%29
http://www.planetfriendly.net/health.html#stress
http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/Adjustment/Stress/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Support_Groups/Mental_Health/Stress/
Mental Health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health
http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Mental_Health/
Burnout
http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Work/Job_Burnout/
Do Not Burn Yourself Out, by Edward Abbey
http://www.abbeyweb.net/quotes.htx?query=paragraph&op=search
Depression
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression
http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/Mood/Depression/
Suicide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide
http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/Suicide/
~~~~~
Activist Support Forum / Discussion
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
Creating Stronger Community
Portal: http://www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
Forum: http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
Sustainable Living Links
http://www.planetfriendly.net/living.html
~~~~~
How To Be An Activist -- articles, resources, links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activism
http://www.planetfriendly.net/active.html
http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Activism/Resources/
Art, Music, Writing & Video -- for Social & Ecological Change
http://www.planetfriendly.net/art.html
~~~~~
EcoPortal Canada -- gateway to everything "eco" in Canada and beyond
http://www.planetfriendly.net/ecoportal.html
GoodWork Canada -- eco-jobs, contracts, internships, opportunity
http://www.GoodWorkCanada.ca
~~~~~
Tooker Gomberg
Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooker_Gomberg
Greenspiration: http://www.greenspiration.org (Tooker & Angela's website)
Memorial Discussion Forum: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
Eco-Heroes, Visionaries and You
http://www.planetfriendly.net/heroes.html
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:15 am Post subject: Tour&FreeZineLaunchAprilFoolsDay Reply with
quote
Tour & "Depression Expression" free Zine Launch on April Fools Day
Healthy Mind, Body, Planet - A Multi-Media Tour, & Tabloid Launch on April Fools Day
Tour & Tabloid will be launched at Union Station in Toronto at 10:00 AM, Saturday April 1st 2006
Exclamation Very Happy
25,000 copies of "Depression Expression" free tabloid will be distributed along the tour in 23 cities across
Canada. Razz
The word "yoga" in sanskriti means "union", Angela, Bridjet & Kelly also invite you do some yoga that
morning at Union Station, you may want to bring along a yoga mat or somekind of small carpet... Wink
For more info about the tour, schedule, dates, locations, posters(pdf files) visit: Arrow
www.greenspiration.org Mr. Green
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:18 pm Post subject: Take the Tooker Official Launch - Line
PaintingDemonstration Reply with quote
News Release
Take the Tooker Official Launch - Line Painting demonstration
Friday, Mar. 3, 2 p.m.
Northeast corner of Bloor and Yonge
TaketheTooker.ca seeks a city-wide bicycle expressway alongside the Bloor/Danforth subway as a living
legacy to bike and climate activist Tooker Gomberg. A passionate environmentalist, Gomberg earned 50,000
votes in his mayoralty bid in 2000.
The launch on Friday is on the second anniversary of Tooker's death in Halifax following an increased
dosage of an anti-depressant drug that agitated him. The establishment of a bicycle expressway not only
honors Tooker, but all cyclists and wanna-be cyclists in this city who don't feel safe competing for space
with cars.
Bloor St. and the Danforth span the City from Mississauga to Scarborough through the Toronto core, in a
single long, direct, and flat route. "With no streetcar tracks to stop line repaintings, there is simply no better
place to enhance cycling than beside the subway" says Hamish Wilson, member of Take the Tooker
collective. "It can deliver trainloads of customers to all the merchants along the Bloor and the Danforth
without cars. And often, there are parking lots atop the subway behind retails strips, so any street parking
losses from the putting in of bike lanes are already completely accommodated for."
The City is aware of the hazards of biking, especially east-west cycling in the core where most car/bike
collisions happen, but has failed to address the problems.
(http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/publications/brochures/2004_cyclist_collision_summary_leaflet.pd
f) "Toronto cyclists can't wait for more inaction. And there's really no reason to. Bike lanes are dirt cheap-only $200,000 brings 8 kms of bike lanes to the Bloor/Danforth. This compares most favourably to the
$125,000,000 a km cost of the Front St. Extension" says Darren Stehr, another member of the Take the
Tooker collective.
The City administration is studying the implications of the TaketheTooker, but there are no real technical
complications to this bikeway; most obstacles are political.
In view of the climate crisis and the smog emergencies of last summer, the TaketheTooker is a litmus test of
whether incumbents are serious about a range of issues, since repainting streets is a simple and inexpensive
solution to so many urban problems.
For more info contact:
Hamish Wilson 416-655-0744
Darren Stehr 416 707-4744
See: http://www.TaketheTooker.ca
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:13 pm Post subject: Mon.Mar. 13 Let's meet to move
TakeTheTookerBikeLane forward Reply with quote
Monday Mar. 13
Let's meet to move TakeTheTooker bike lane forward:
7-8 p.m.
OISE, 252 Bloor Street West (Bloor and St. George)
7th floor (and follow the signs)
see further below...
Bike lanes on Bloor appearing mysteriously Exclamation Idea
--The TaketheTooker.ca official launch on Mar. 3rd was a great success. We got 12 min. on CBC radio, plus
some clips on CFRB, a photo in the Varsity, and likely there will be a photo in NOW. Words out. See photos
of the launch by John Bonnar here: http://johnb.smugmug.com/gallery/1254392
The cops prevented us from using paint, so we used chalk. But unbeknownst to most of us, at the SAME
TIME, there was a guerrilla break out group that was painting lines and bike symbols along Bloor between
Spadina and Bathurst. See pictures here: http://takethetooker.ca/ and here:
http://bikelanediary.blogspot.com/2006/03/bloor-bike-lane-spreading-its-wings.html and even a video of
them here: http://tino.ca/bloor.mov And on the weekend a different artist was at it with symbols and lines
on Bloor between Spadina and St. George. Are we seeing the rise of cyclists tired of waiting for for the city
to act, prepared to help the city out with free labour and paint? Cyclists are so generous!
Imagine gorilla bike lane/symbol paintings all along Bloor/Danforth! How bout a photo contest of all the
guerrilla bike lane paintings, with prizes? Someone suggested an online (and offline) petition. How bout a
phone blitz to Councillors? Monthly demonstrations? Running our own candidates in the upcoming civic
election?
Let's meet to move TaketheTooker forward: Wink
Monday Mar. 13
7-8 p.m.
OISE, 252 Bloor Street West (Bloor and St. George)
7th floor (and follow the signs)
People understand instinctively that Bloor/Danforth is the BEST opportunity for a bicycle expressway across
Toronto. It's long, flat, and already a popular cycling route. Unfortunately, it's not safe, as evidenced by the
car/bike collision map shown here on page 2:
http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/publications/brochures/2004_cyclist_collision_summary_leaflet.pdf
Help us build political momentum for a bicycle expressway along Bloor and Danforth. Let's make it an
election issue (Nov. 2006). Let's make it politically attractive to Councillors along the route to support the
bicycle expressway over the protestations from some businesses who see car parking as more of a priority.
Can you imagine a bicycle expressway from Missassagua to Scarborough along the Bloor/Danforth? I sure
can. Not only does it seem doable, it's feasible, attractive, and cheap. It would be a signature facility for the
city. It would get people out of their cars and onto bikes. It would give Toronto some good publicity. It
would show their commitment to alleviating smog in and congestion and climate change.
Let's make it a reality.
Join the TaketheTooker email list from http://www.takethetooker.ca
-angela of the TaketheTooker team
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:45 pm Post subject: Memorial events in Toronto, Mar 1 - 3, 2006
with quote
Tooker Memorial Events
On March 3, 2004, one of Canada's most daring and courageous
political figures, Tooker Gomberg, left this world. Two years
later, his friends and admirers are still left wondering why,
and what can we learn.
We invite you to join in reflection, mourning and celebration
of such an exemplary writer, activist, politician, public speaker
Reply
and advocate for a better world.
(1) Wed. March 1, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Memorial Ritual and Dream Big Meditation
Quaker House, 60 Lowther Avenue, Toronto (just NE of St. George and Bloor)
~~~
(2) Fri. March 3, 2006, 2 p.m.
TaketheTooker.ca Launch, a bicycle expressway along Bloor and Danforth
Meet at Bloor and Yonge, line-painting demonstration
~~~
(3) Fri. March 3, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Canadian Premiere film - Prescription: Suicide?* - a feature
documentary telling stories of children who became
suicidal shortly after beginning antidepressant drugs.
Woodsworth College Residence , U of T
321 Bloor St W, Rm 35, downstairs (SE corner of Bloor and St George)
Prescription: Suicide? is an unprecedented feature documentary built
around personal stories of six American families, their hopes and
experiences with anti-depressant drugs prescribed to their children.
The filmmakers have weaved together six distinct stories of real
people and real experiences. They have captured a sense of the
arguments in an ongoing controversy that affects millions of
Americans in a documentary that ultimately asks the question if these
so-called revolutionary medications can be used safely.
"This isn't a story about money or big pharmaceutical corporations",
says director Robert Manciero, "it's a story about tragedies in
individual families like you and me and our kids."
Some people call antidepressants "miracle" drugs. But are they? How
have they affected others in our community, like the beloved Tooker
Gomberg, who suicided after 5 weeks on an antidepressant that
agitated him?
Prescription: Suicide? was produced and directed by Robert Manciero
and Rich Samuels with David Garland as co-producer.
~~~
For more info:
Angela Bischoff, Tooker's surviving spouse, 416 538-7413
www.greenspiration.org / www.prescriptionsuicide.com
www.takethetooker.ca
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 5:21 pm Post subject: Comment on Dream Big Meditation Reply with
quote
Following below is an anonymous letter sent to Greenspiration by someone who did on their own the
Dream Big Meditation found here:
http://www.greenspiration.org/memorial/rituals/DreamBigMeditation.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Hello:
I went to the Greenspiration web site and read the meditation there.
I enjoyed the opportunity to think about health and balance in this
way. What's good for us as individuals is good for us as a
community, city and biosphere.
In meditating on my ideal self, I envisioned a state where I would
always feel and express feelings and reactions as they arise, not
suppress or redirect them. It was useful to expand this aspect to
the biosphere, and to think about how we can all live more directly
and immediately in our environment.
I wish I could have met Tooker, I clearly missed a lively and
inspiring person. I hope you are finding peace, strength and joy
during this time.
love and good thoughts,
the golden smog
-<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Eulogies for Tooker and Stories for a
healthy mind, body and planet
http://www.greenspiration.org
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Join our email list by emailing us at:
greenspiration@web.ca
Write "subscribe" in the subject line
and tell us what city/country you live in
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:15 pm Post subject: Take the Tooker! : takethetooker.ca Reply with
quote
A community of people in Toronto have joined to manifest the reality of :
"A continuous bike lane uniting Toronto cyclists along Bloor & Danforth" (The Tooker)
& for a networking place created a great website with a newsletter subscribing link, polls & different
interesting modules like:
· Downloads· FAQ· Feedback· Forums· Recommend Us· Search· Stories Archive· Submit News· Surveys·
Topics· Web Links· Your Account
I find it a fabulous & comprehensive site, a great tool for the VELORUTION! Mr. Green Viva! To this team
Kudos! Very Happy
Below is their intro, for the site Go here: http://takethetooker.ca/
Take the Tooker!
Friends, Toronto City Hall and the Toronto Bike Plan have failed to provide cyclists with a safe continuous
east west route. We have been jeopardized for far too long by the self serving politics which not only puts
cyclists at risk but all Toronto taxpayers. It is time to say "enough!" and demand change. Our plan is simple,
a continuous bike lane along Bloor St and Danforth Ave/Rd between Islington Ave in the west and Lawrence
Ave in the east. This lane would connect the current mish mash of bicycles lanes and make them more
relevant to our daily needs, not the political needs of councillors. This will be the first step in improving the
quality of life for cyclists.
We need your help in making this a reality. Even if you are able to only donate a few minutes of your time a
week, between now and the next municipal election, from the comfort of your own home it will help us
succeed. Please sign up for our newsletter to be kept up to date on how you can make this a reality.
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:05 am Post subject: The First Tooker Gomberg Memorial Lecture: Reply
with quote
You're invited to...
[size=x-Large]The First Tooker Gomberg Memorial Lecture:[/size]
[size=x-Huge]Bicycles and Urban Healtht[/size]
The speaker will be Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP, and long-time bicycle commuter and advocate.
Wed. September 7, 2005
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm.
St. Michael's Hospital (Queen St. east of Yonge),
in the Paul Marshall Lecture Theatre (located near the Queen St. entrance),
Toronto
Admission is free.
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:58 pm Post subject: Event cancelled & posponed...
Reply with
quote
Oops! This event was cancelled due to family needs for Jack Layton & has been postponed to an
undertermined time & place...
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EcoLarry
Joined: 18 May 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Ukiah, Mendocino County, Southern Ecotopia (Northern Cali)
PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 2:42 pm Post subject: Events in Halifax, Montreal, and Toronto to honor
Tooker Reply with quote
For those of you in Halifax, Montreal and Toronto, I'd like to invite you to the following events to discuss
issues around drugs and suicide...
-angela
----Fri. May 20, 2005 1:30 p.m. - Halifax
Your Drug May Be Your Problem -- exploring the relationship between
anti depressant drugs and suicide
with Angela Bischoff and Dr. David Zitner
Suicide Conference
Mount St. Vincent University
----Tues. May 24, 2005 7:00 p.m. - Montreal
Your Drug May Be Your Problem - What is the connection between
anti-depressant drugs and suicide?
with Angela Bischoff
Pharmacie Esperanza, 5490 St. Laurent (at St. Viateur)
Also screening two CBC documentaries:
'Selling Sickness' -- Nature of Things , 2004
'Little Helpers' -- Fifth Estate, 2004
Free
----Wed. June 1, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Bloor Cinema - Toronto
Celebrating Bike Week and Tooker -- hear the tallest Tooker Tales and
catch the screening of VittorioDe Sica's classic film "The Bicycle
Thief"
Free (OK this isn't about drugs and suicide, but thought you might like to come anyways, just for fun!)
----Thur. June 2, noon - 1 p.m. - Toronto
Big Pharma -- Suicide, Funding and Research
St. Michael's Hospital (Queen St. E. and Victoria St.)
Paul Marshall Lecture Theatre (next to the Second Cup coffee shop)
Speakers Angela Bischoff and Dr. Joel Lexchin sharing insights into the pharmaceutical drug industry
Free.
----Mon. June 6, 7 - 9 p.m. - Toronto
Woodsworth College Residence -- 321 Bloor St W., Rm 35, downstairs
(new building on SE corner of Bloor and St George)
Your Drug May Be Your Problem -- What is the connection between
anti-depressant drugs and suicide?
with Angela Bischoff and Don Weitz
Also screening 2 CBC documentaries "Selling Sickness" and "Little Helpers"
Co-sponsored by BoilingFrog.ca and CAPA (Coalition Against Psychiatric Assault)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more info: greenspi@web.ca
www.greenspiration.org
Sponsored by the Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration Fund
_________________
Larry Sheehy
Co-producer, ECOPALOOZA 2005
Ecopalooza Green Living Expos
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elorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:03 pm Post subject: Rituals to honor Tooker & community Reply with
quote
Rituals to honor Tooker & community
From Angela Bischoff: greenspi@web.ca
Friends,
I want to thank you all for honoring Tooker, yourself and your community by participating in the water ritual
on or around Mar. 3, the anniversary of Tooker's passing. About 170 people participated in the community
rituals in Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax, but hundreds of others did their own private
water rituals in Van, New York, LA, India, England, and elsewhere.
I believe that such rituals communicate beyond words, and can wake us up to ourselves in a penetrating
way, and allow for transformation, healing and awareness. Thank you for opening yourselves up to this
exercise.
Here's what Eye Magazine had to say about the Toronto event:
http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_03.10.05/op/wanderingeye.html
And here's what the Montreal Mirror said about the Montreal event:
http://www.montrealmirror.com/2005/030305/front.html
Here's what some wrote me about their water ritual experience:
--------------------We went to the river on Mar. 3rd. Zach (3) enjoyed throwing the stones in -- he said 'more!' Claire (5) said
to me that day how she is looking forward to seeing Tooker in heaven."
Sally, James, Zach and Claire, Edmonton
--------------------We had a magical and powerful gathering at Dufferin Grove park last night! Thirty or forty of us, out in
blusterry -10 for 5 hours around a fire that gave our body wonderful heat, with Tooker's spirit warming our
hearts. Petals and Pebbles placed in a crystal vessel that was once used by hundreds of children in my
Flowing Waters Ceremony, nourished by our souls' wish to embrace our own beauty and reach out when in
need of support. Others spoke of working through depression and the insight gained from being deep inside
their wounds, and finding the ways to reemerge with fresh perspectives and new wisdom. Songs and
chants, howling and cheers were running rampant and whisked off by the smoke to be blown with great
force directly to the east. You must have inhaled our potent aromas in Halifax!
Tooker's writings were read with passion, and we celebrated the truth in each word spoken. Last night,
under crystalline stars, it was so very clear that Tooker lives on in all of us who actively carry on the work of
reclaiming integrity by choosing vital, healthy lives for ourselves and others. His message was strong...
whether it is on the front line of activism, in an embrace with a child, in a classroom of new immigrants,
engaging with elders, supporting those marginalized or isolated -- each moment we have a choice. And we
can waste it or fly with it.
Water was everywhere! The deep snows, Garrison creek below us, the dribbles from wet eyes and noses,
water from Lake Ontario, and the steam billowing to the east as the vessel and petals were poured over the
flames to end our ceremony. Quite a night!
Neil, Toronto
--------------------------We sprinkled the pedals for Tooker in the East River today, actually it was colorful local lettuce leaves rather
than pesticidy roses... the sun was smiling.
Wendy, New York
--------------------------And here was what some of the speakers had to say:
--------------------------We who seek a better world owe each other support in our social, emotional and political lives. Else we
have no world at all. Let's look in each other's eyes and commit to "be there" when we see each other
stumbling, falling, sad about the state of the world. Humans evolved with tribes and villages around them.
We still need that. We will always need that. Separated from our friends and extended family and usual
allies, we are vulnerable, and, may take to drugs or bad ideasŠ
We shall never forget Tooker, because, all courage shall remind us of him. By surrounding ourselves with
each other, we surround ourselves with courage, and he lives on.
Craig Hubley, La Have Islands, Nova Scotia
--------------------------Compassion is an __expression of unflinching, tender self-awareness.
When we are courageous enough to really be there for ourselves, and by that I mean really bearing witness
to our suffering and pain, our losses, hurts, and sorrow, we are in effect, really and truly taking care of
ourselvesŠ
True compassion can arise whenever we refrain from beating ourselves up, rejecting or pushing an emotion
away, or clutching and grasping at something or someone we don't want to let go of. When we are faced
with difficult, painful life situations, we actually create less suffering for ourselves when we are finally able
to gently lean into and be with, bear witness to our hearts and see as clearly as we can, what actually is.
This is self-care.
Self-care is where compassion and loving-kindness for ourselves arises, and from this original and sacred
place and space of self-care, then we are able to use our own genuine experiences as bridges for reaching
out to others. From our own direct and personal experiences of being WITH ourselves and being there FOR
ourselves, from our own self-care, we are then really capable and able to be there FOR others, and WITH
others.
We aren't freaked out by others' intense feelings or extreme emotions or states of minds as easily, because
we have courageously and gently looked after ourselves in those very same kinds of places. We have been
brave warriors in the face of our own pain and suffering with gentle but persistent self-care, and now we
may have the privilege of bearing witness and being of benefit to others in their struggle.
Sally Issenman. Edmonton
--------------------------As we know, Tooker was frequently on the frontlines fighting for a lot of just causes, especially for a green
and ecologically-sensitive world, but also for decent and affordable housing, for freedom of __expression,
for freedom and the right to dissent and protest peacefully in public spaces. Tooker was a very peaceful, a
very humane, caring and courageous human being. I deeply respected and liked him a lot. I miss his brilliant,
consciousness-raising tacticsŠ I miss his spontaneous and infectious laughter, and much more.
What some people may not know is that Tooker was a psychiatric survivor who unfortunately did not
survive.
What's particularly troubling is that this psychiatrist never informed or warned Tooker that Remeron (antidepressant) can cause suicidal ideas and impulses. The psychiatrist never bothered to ask Tooker if he ever
felt suicidal or wanted to harm himself while on Remeron. All this despite the medical fact that researchers,
psychiatrists, the drug company CEOs, and government regulatory agencies like the Food & Drug
Administration and Health Canada knew that antidepressants -- like Remeron, Paxil, Prozac, Effexor and
Zoloft -- can drive people crazy, drive people to suicide. They knew all this years ago in the mid-1990s but
covered up this horrible risk and truth. They never told Tooker and the rest of us. For the greedy and amoral
drug company executives and psychiatrists, profits were, and still are, more important than people's health.
Lying to and with holding critical information about drug risks from patients and the public is more
important and profitable than telling patients and the public the horrible truth about these so-called "safe,
effective and life-saving" drugs.
Tooker's death is obviously tragic. I agree with Angela when she asserts his death could have been
prevented if the psychiatrist had acted ethically and responsibly, if he had fully and honestly informed
Tooker of Remeron's serious risks including suicide. Tooker's death should be a warning for all of us. The
psychiatrists and government officials in Health Canada are still not leveling with us; they think they're
protecting us by issuing "advisories", weak warnings when they should be issuing bans on these killer-drugs.
There have always been safe and humane alternatives to psychiatric drugs and other psychiatric
procedures: self-help groups, supportive health teams instead of mental health ACTT teams, good nutritious
diet and exercise, meditation, holistic methods, decent and affordable housing, a livable wage, friends who
really care about and love usŠ
In the wonderfully wild and alive spirit of Tooker, let us start speaking out and acting out against psychiatric
deception, lies and fraud. In the spirit of Tooker, let us start educating ourselves, our friends and others,
about the serious health effects and risks of psychiatric drugs. In the spirit of Tooker, let us rededicate
ourselves to building more non-medical alternatives to psychiatric treatment and institutions. In the spirit of
Tooker, let us continue our empowering struggles for social justice, building a humane, caring and safe
world. Tooker has shown us it can be done, it must be done. Tooker, your spirit lives. SHALOM wherever
you are.
Don Weitz, Toronto
-----------------Supporting Each other in our Activism - and Nurturing and Supporting Ourselves
How to stay activists for a lifetime? In the face of many defeats and discouragement, and despite our
despair about the pain and suffering in the world and the ecological challenges that we know must be
urgently addressed, we work as hard as we can on the many campaigns that come our way. There is always
more to do -- yet we know that burning out will not help in the long run, because this is going to be a
lifelong engagement, this work of social change!
So how to stay in it in a sane way?
Start by noticing -- how am I feeling today? If you are feeling dragged down, ask yourself, what do I need?
Remember: we are whole beings. And we need to nurture ourselves - physically, emotionally and spiritually,
as well as our minds.
What do I need to energize my spirit?
- Singing, dancing, meditating, communing with others?
- Taking time to journal?
- Getting to a beautiful place, a retreat, training (that's not just task oriented, but will nurture your spirit and
inspire you) or just a movie, a night with friends?
What do I need to nurture my body?
- Exercise, massage, yoga, long walks, more rest?
- Do I need more veggies, fruit, vitamin B, iron, zinc, essential fatty acids?
- Take time to enjoy meals, our bodies, time spent with others, away from work
Do I notice my feelings and find ways to express them?
Do I need more emotional support from others, a place to vent?
Would I benefit from a support group, or individual therapy?
Do I need to evaluate how I am spending my time, how a certain project is going, or how a group I am part
of is functioning?
Make use of resources:
Find the resources you need -- nurturing yourself is worth it!
Massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy, books on nutrition, yoga.
Vitamins, especially B6 and B12, and essential fatty acids.
Therapy, counseling, or learning about how groups can work well together.
And music, friends, and nature.
Find time to savor life on earth - as well as to save it.
Lyn Adamson, Toronto
------------------------------Depression is the internalization of the ills in our society. That is to say, we get beaten down by our sense of
desperation about the world around us, and our role in it. We look at our inadequacies and our inability to
feel comfortable in such a hostile world or situation and we then think there is something wrong with us.
That we are, as individuals, the sick ones.
The psychiatric approach to understanding depression plays a role in de-politicizing our pain, anger and
desperation. It locates the problem at the level of the individual and conveniently ignores the context that
gives rise to an individual becoming depressed.
Conveniently, the psychiatric and pharmaceutical complex prey on the vulnerability of those who are
depressed. They label us with a sickness and further reinforce the idea that intervention strategies must
rehabilitate the individualŠ
I don't mean to minimize the very real difficulties that one may face when dealing with depression, and
surely, we need to mobilize as community to support each other. I mean, who doesn't get depressed. And it
is common in this day and age for people to contemplate suicide. We should be asking: why are so many
people taking their own lives. Sometimes, the pharmaceutical drugs themselves induce people to suicide.
I suggest that, as good radicals, we are behoven to look at the roots of societal problems. When it comes to
suicide and depression, we are doing our fallen comrades a disservice if we fail to see past the psychiatric
model, and ignore the conditions that give rise these manifestations and behaviours. We need to break
through that individualistic isolating model of understanding ourselves, and be wary of false solutions that
ignore, or help us become complacent to the actual problems that we collectively face as a people.
Pierre Loiselle, Halifax
------------------------I hope those words give you food for thought. Thank you to all the speakers, and organizers, and
participants!
We were proud to announce at the community rituals the first recipients of the Tooker Gomberg
Greenspiration Fund Awards. We raised about $16,000 post-memorials, which we are committed to
contributing to worthwhile activist and educational activities dealing with climate change, indy media,
community and cycling.
The Otesha Project http://www.otesha.ca/ has been awarded $1000 for their Coast-to-Coast bicycle tour.
Otesha is a group of youth enabling and empowering the next generation to take action towards a
sustainable future. This summer they will be presenting to 40 communities across Canada, reaching 10,000
youth.
BoilingFrog http://Boilingfrog.ca/ promotes and distributes activist and independent media committed to
issues such as: environment, social justice, poverty, human rights, war, peace, globalization, direct action,
etc. We are honored to contribute $1000 to their ongoing Canadian tour.
Riverdale School in Edmonton is creating a natural labyrinth in their schoolyard. In the center will be a large
rock with a plaque dedicated to Tooker's memory. We are pleased to contribute $800 to this project.
Stay tuned for more projects to be funded in the future. We thank all those who have contributed to these
funds in Tooker's honour. If you'd like to contribute, see: http://www.greenspiration.org/
With so much love, respect and gratitude,
angela
--
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Eulogies and Condolences for Tooker
and Stories of ecology and activism
http://www.greenspiration.org
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Join our email list by emailing us at:
greenspiration@web.ca
Write "subscribe" in the subject line
and tell us what city/country you live in
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khanlee
Joined: 16 Mar 2005
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:14 am Post subject: Tooker was wrong Reply with quote
I don't mean completely, of course. I considered him a friend, and well meaning, but it's easy now to look
back at where he and I and so many others stood in the middle of the 1970s and see that we suffered from
a bad case of blinkers.
Consider the book Diet For A Small Plant. Fraught with good intensions, and larded with recipes that
actually work, the single-focus on complete proteins, to the exclusion of other considerations, leads to a
carb-heavy, fat-heavy cuisine, which would, by itself, probably be less healthful than dialing in a quotient of
meat.
Similarly, the books by Charlie Wing (sometimes with others), including From The Walls In and From The
Ground Up focus so much on saving energy that following his guidelines leads to houses where less is less.
Saving energy is all well and good, but in raw terms, turning down the thermostat means you'll be saving
energy, but at a price: you'll be colder. His admonitions to avoid opening windows, because windows leak,
means that it's hard to get a breeze flowing through a Wing design house, and while maybe it saves energy,
consider that changing the air in a building every so often (some suggest a complete air change every half
hour) is considered a good thing, so some leakage is not all that unwanted..
Tooker's goal was to make the planet better, and for that we all applaud him. But like F.M.L and Charlie
Wing, I think that his approach lacked the balance that we should all take when approaching anything that
requires a big decision. I remember Tooker's ride when he was a student at Hampshire-- and thought it was
a stand up thing to do when he got rid of it. But carlessness is not appropriate for everyone.
I'm sorry he's gone, and consider it a waste. Clearly he dropped the ball one time when it wasn't safe to do
so, and I regret that, as we all do. Blame the docs and Rx companies if you want, but to do so implies that
Tooker wasn't responsible for his choices. And I think that is a rap he wouldn't want to accept.
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Phil O'Dendron
Joined: 07 Mar 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Ottawa
PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 3:17 am Post subject: Poem For Tooker Gomberg Reply with quote
Poem for Tooker Gomberg (by Phil Mader)
The masses sell their souls at every turn
Whore themselves left and right
While better men and plants and animals
Perish.
When and how will it all stop
This disheartening sell-out.
They blame it on depression
But behind the despair
Is a tapestry
Of truth
That when we cannot
Stop but see
In mirror's path
There is no longer flame
No longer fire
But just another soldier
In what makes us
Turn our heads aside.
We, like the Christ,
Turn ourselves in
For we can not bear
One more thing.
He will not be
Around to see
The message carried forward
The crowd of cyclers
Hurtling themselves into matters green
Stuff of wind and sun
Where poisoned clouds
Never ever dare be seen.
But this page of Mother Earth's history
He danced on
Will reserve a place for him
In the company of others
Who ventured likewise,
In such arduous counter-currence,
To still so heartily... to still so lovingly
...Dream.
_________________
Phil O'Dendron
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:41 am Post subject: March 2005 Memorial & Water Ritual Reply with
quote
March 2005 Memorial & Water Ritual
Friends,
As most of you know, our beloved friend Tooker Gomberg passed over on Mar. 3, 2004. As the first
anniversary approaches, I'd like to invite you to participate in either a community ritual near you, or to do
your own honouring of Tooker with the ritual suggested here : (See note at bottom about original page)
Edmonton: Sunday, Feb. 27, Riverdale Hall, 92 St. and 100 Ave. 2:00pm
Toronto: Thursday, Mar. 3, Dufferin Grove Park (firepit), one block south of Bloor on Dufferin, 5:30pm, soup
(bring a bowl and spoon), ritual at 6:00pm. Poster available here:
http://www.greenspiration.org/Memorial/Tooker_Memorial_Toronto03/05.pdf
Ottawa: Friday, Mar. 4, 7:00pm , PSAC Hall, 233 Gilmour (at Metcalfe), in the J.K. Wyllie Room. Poster
available here: http://www.greenspiration.org/Memorial/Tooker_Memorial_Ottawa0305.pdf
Montreal: Sunday, Mar. 6, Alternatives, 3720 Parc Ave (2nd fl), at Ave. Des Pins, 7:00pm
Halifax: Thursday, Mar. 3, Khyber Centre for the Arts (Turret), 1588 Barrington, 7:00pm
Whether you do a group or individual ritual, I'd love to hear how it went.
Thank you... angela : greenspi( at )web.ca
All this info available at original page here: http://www.greenspiration.org/
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Joe Godin
Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Saint John NB
PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 7:53 pm Post subject: A solo memorial in Saint John NB
quote
This is an email I just sent to Angela, I thought I'd share it you folks..
Reply with
Angela,
To find someone else in the city who knew or at least heard of Tooker would be impossible. I was alone so I
thought I'd do something else other than the pebble and petals ritual (but I visualized it). A few weeks ago I
decided to expand my focus to sustainable transportation instead of just bicycle activism. This city is
addicted to cars like I never seen and there seems to be no one else to work with. It's depressing. On the
brighter here's the two things I did.
On March 3rd I contacted the manager of the local Transit Commission and asked him if he would be
interested in to looking into an Employer Transit Pass project like the one BC
Transit has developed.
http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Fares_Passes/employers_pass/
I work for Cendant Canada and we have about 1200 staff in a central location with little access to parking.
He loved the idea and will meet with me on it. Cendant is very community oriented and last year we raised
40K for the United Way through payroll deductions and several thousand for other charities and caused by
others means.
And in a direct tribute to Tooker, I blasted (via email) City Hall for advertising access to our city by VIA
Passenger Rail Service when last train came through here almost 20 years ago.
VIA's link is on the City website and is listed as one " a wide variety of transportation services available to
get you here and around town" I asked that they remove it or explain with the last leg of the journey is by
bus. The puffery oozing out of City Hall nowadays is out of hand.
http://www.cityofsaintjohn.com/2.cfm?PageID=2-4-13
Even VIA lies when you order the ticket online the intinerary says your arrive in here on "Train 707". It's
hard to take.
I'll post this on the discussion forum to show my solidarity.
Best wishes,
Joe
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There are no vacant lots in nature - Edward Abbey
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:58 pm Post subject: Way to implement Kyoto accord made in Alberta...
Reply with quote
Way to implement Kyoto accord made in Alberta...
Tooker went to great lenghts to draw attention to this "Lost Report": a study by Energy of Alberta in the
early 90s,
he even locked himself up in Ralph Klein's vault to get the "Media" to bring attention to it...
Tooker pointed out how we would benefit environmentally AND economically by following these
reccommendations,
that in the end would bring approx. 35% return on investment(as he understood a really high rate of return)
Here is a link to "An executive summary" of "The Lost Report" titled:
"A Discussion Paper On The Potential for Reducing CO2 Emissions in Alberta":
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK > > >
http://people.uleth.ca/~hall/sp_Paper_nbsp_on_nbsp_the_nbsp_Potential_nbsp_For_nbsp_Reducing_nbs
p_Carbon_nbsp_Dioxide_nbsp_Emissions_nbsp_in_nbsp_Alberta_nbsp__nbsp_Executive_nbsp_Summary.pdf
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:45 am Post subject: Kyoto or Bust!
Kyoto or Bust! * Idea
Rabble.ca article...
With several good & usefull links:
http://www.rabble.ca/news_full_story.shtml?x=17261&url=
Reply with quote
Now lets get that "Lost Report" online somewhere again!!! * Rolling Eyes * Wink
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 3:52 pm Post subject: Here is a link to "The Lost Report"... Reply with
quote
Here is a link to "An executive summary" of "The Lost Report" titled:
A Discussion Paper On The Potential for Reducing CO2 Emissions in Alberta:
http://people.uleth.ca/~hall/sp_Paper_nbsp_on_nbsp_the_nbsp_Potential_nbsp_For_nbsp_Reducing_nbs
p_Carbon_nbsp_Dioxide_nbsp_Emissions_nbsp_in_nbsp_Alberta_nbsp__nbsp_Executive_nbsp_Summary.pdf
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 8:33 am Post subject: Rinky Dink Song
RiNKY DiNK SONG
Reply with quote
Don't know if Tooker ever heard this song but he would really enjoy & appreciate this one...
Enjoy! -VeloJuanito Wink
Includes nice intro...
Play lo-fi:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamM3U.m3u?ID=759222&q=Lo
Play hi-fi:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamM3U.m3u?ID=759222&q=Hi
MP3:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/DownloadSong.cfm?ID=759222
Or listen to any song of you choice from this amazing musician who during a tour in the Maritimes
facilitated by uberculture.org , camped at Tooker & Angela's place in Halifax in January 2004...
http://www.soundclick.com/davidrovics
audio and video on-line:
http://members.aol.com/drovics/Clips.htm
David's whole website: http://www.davidrovics.com[/b]
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 5:49 pm Post subject: LET'S HELP EACH OTHER HEAL
quote
Let's help each other heal...
Reply with
I'm heartbroken about Tooker. He was a friend, inspiration and mentor. I admired his remarkable passion,
his openness, integrity and commitment. Considering the relatively small amount of time I actually spent
with him, I'm amazed at how much his passing has affected me.
Our challenge now is to learn from Tooker, from both his successes and failures. To deal with what has
happened as best we can. And, to continue to learn and grow as individuals and as a community.
Many of us already bear great burdens, as we try to do good work and face some of society's most
disturbing problems. Those of us who are in grief must do whatever we can to support each other.
If you're alone, try to find some support in your grief, from your friends and family. If you have friends who
knew Tooker, give them a call or a visit. Make sure they are not grieving alone, and that they have the
support they need.
Most importantly, let's help each other to find that elusive balance -- the balance between changing the
world, and saving ourselves. Let's learn not to be entirely selfless. Let's pay attention to ourselves, our
friends, our communities -- as well as the world.
Below are some links and articles that offer some ideas and support. If you have other thoughts, please post
them here.
Let's help each other heal!
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
"Take care of yourself and each other" - Tooker Gomberg
Dealing with grief - articles
http://fl.essortment.com/stagesgrief_rbdm.htm
http://www.survivingsuicide.com/grief.htm
Dealing with grief and suicide - more articles, links, organizations
Links: Coping with grief and suicide
Silence a deadly accomplice in suicide's toll: full story
The Edmonton Journal, March 10, 2004
One Paragraph of Advice, by Edward Abbey www.abbeyweb.net (search for "paragraph")
Caring Too Much, Caring Too Little, by Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=82
Stress, Burnout, Positive Thinking - strategies, resources, links
www.planetfriendly.net/health.html#stress
Creating Stronger Community -- Links, Resources, Discussion
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
Being an Activist, Changing the World
Tooker & Angela's Ten Commandments:
www.greenspiration.org/Article/TenCommandments.html
Elizabeth May, How to be An Activist
www.sierraclub.ca/national/activist.html
More: www.planetfriendly.net/enviro.html
"A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives
in a hostile world: everyone you meet is your mirror." - Ken Keyes
One Final Paragraph of Advice, by Edward Abbey
"One final paragraph of advice: Do not burn yourself out. Be as I am-a reluctant enthusiast... a part time
crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure.
It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it is still
there. So get out there and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests,
encounter the grizz, climb the mountains. Run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit
quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space.
Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to your body, the body active
and alive, and I promise you this much: I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those
deskbound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I
promise you this: you will outlive the bastards." - Edward Abbey
www.abbeyweb.net/quotes.htx?query=paragraph&op=search
Finding balance, avoiding burnout: www.planetfriendly.net/health.html#stress
Last edited by Peter Blanchard on Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:32 pm; edited 7 times in total
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Tooker guppy food
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:16 am Post subject: So long and thanks for all the fish.
Reply with
quote
Well, the guy certainly stood for what he believed in. That said, he was a crackpot. I'll never forget driving
down the road with Tooker in front of me on his bike with a big cardboard cutout the size of a car and
blocking all traffic. I was tempted to run him down since my car was polluting more by having to go so
slowly and follow him. But, given the health care cut backs in Alberta, I suppose there wasn't room for him
in a mental hospital. So we elected to city council.
I suppose I admire his convictions but he was such a pain to most people. That said, no one wants to see a
life end like this.
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melissa merker
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 8:35 am Post subject: Tooker
Reply with quote
I was one of Tooker's sisters-in-law. I have just browsed your site. Thanks you so much for setting it up. It's
heartwarming to read how much people cared. If only he could have understood this in his last days. The
messages have given me great comfort and I will let his father know about the site so the rest of the family
can also be similarly comforted.
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Marilyn
Guest
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:25 pm Post subject: broken hearted
Reply with quote
Peter, thank you for posting information about suicide and supporting our colleagues and friends.
What meaning can one find in a life cut short by intent?
Tooker fought inner battles that were more evasive than his more public battles. He WAS supported by a
myriad of friends, his devoted wife, and his adoring brothers, father and mother. He has left many broken
hearts, in his passing.
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 10:21 pm Post subject: Walk for Suicide & Depression
quote
The OUT OF THE DARKNESS Overnight
-- walk for suicide and depression
In July, 2005, men and women will come to Chicago
from all over the country to walk together 20 miles
through the night, from dusk until dawn. It's called
the Out of the Darkness Overnight.
The Overnight will bring together friends, family members
and loved ones whose lives have been touched by suicide
or depression, giving a voice to issues that have been
kept in silence for too long.
Net proceeds will benefit the American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention, to fund research, education,
survivor and awareness programs.
Please help get the word out about this unique and
important event. Feel free to call me at 888-NIGHT-05
(888-644-4805) or visit http://www.TheOvernight.org
for more information.
For more info
coaches@theovernight.org
1 888 NIGHT 05
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
www.theovernight.org
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
Reply with
PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:31 pm Post subject: Can you share a story?
Can you share a story?
Reply with quote
Still regularly Tooker's mirth, courage & enthusiasm inspires me but i am so puzzled by what happenned to
him in the end...
I feel his presence in my life still very strong, i miss his dearly...
I am looking foward to collecting stories of people who have met Tooker, stories of their encounters with
him or stories of how he touched their lives whether they met him or not...
This would greatly help in my own healing... Neutral
Sincerely, Jean 514 812 9907(messages) velo_rution@yahoo.ca
P.S. : We will be organising a Memorial Video Night for Tooker in Montreal - Ottawa - Halifax between now
& the spring, lookout for announcements here & on the respective indymedia websites... Smile
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:46 pm Post subject: Can you share a story?
Can you share a story?
Reply with quote
Still regularly Tooker's mirth, courage & enthusiasm inspires me but i am so puzzled by what happenned to
him in the end...
I feel his presence in my life still very strong, i miss his dearly...
I am looking foward to collecting stories of people who have met Tooker, stories of their encounters with
him or stories of how he touched their lives whether they met him or not...
This would greatly help in my own healing... Neutral
Sincerely, Jean 514 812 9907(messages) velo_rution@yahoo.ca
P.S. : We will be organising a Memorial Video Night for Tooker in Montreal - Ottawa - Halifax between now
& the spring, lookout for announcements here & on the respective indymedia websites... Smile
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:39 pm Post subject: Can you share a story?
Can you share a story?
Reply with quote
Still regularly Tooker's mirth, courage & enthusiasm inspires me but i am so puzzled by what happenned to
him in the end...
I feel his presence in my life still very strong, i miss his dearly...
I am looking foward to collecting stories of people who have met Tooker, stories of their encounters with
him or stories of how he touched their lives whether they met him or not...
This would greatly help in my own healing... Neutral
Sincerely, Jean 514 812 9907(messages) velo_rution@yahoo.ca
P.S. : We will be organising a Memorial Video Night for Tooker in Montreal - Ottawa - Halifax between now
& the spring, lookout for announcements here & on the respective indymedia websites... Smile
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tree
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:34 pm Post subject: we all try in our own way
we all try in our own way
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I'm a tree near what is called "CK's" on morning glory farm.
Our grove has been here since the railroad people left many seasons ago. Not many two-leggeds come
around here anymore, and our elders have taught us to appreciate their absence. The winds have brought
us news of drumming and dancing nymphs from time to time, and "the tree song" by the Pied Pumkin.
Tooker came to stay with us last summer. He did not stay here very long but he seemed glad to be here and
enjoyed our company. We do not really know what he did at all those conferences, but he certainly seemed
happier when he was on his bicycle, and he often brought good news from his travels.
He was many times in a rush but he and his dear wife angela did share some time with us and they were as
welcome as the four-leggeds, the ones that fly and the ones that crawl.
Some of tooker's friends came by recently to gather his memory and clear his spirit. We all try in our own
way, and join you. Peace.
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mac
Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 2
PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 2:46 pm Post subject: tooker over the killaloe airwaves
quote
dear tree:
Reply with
several tributes (but not a full show) have been aired over tooker & ang's beloved CHCR (Homegrown
Comunity Radio) in Killaloe, ON.
Aired were a song written by another sadly departed young person from Fergus, On; and "Le Monde a
Bicyclette" posted on the greenspiration site.
Unfortunately, all of the "eco-freako'' shows were deleted from the station's log months ago. Surprised
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 9:57 pm Post subject: related links Reply with quote
Related links...
Homegrown Community Radio
www.chcr.org
Community & Campus Radio Stations across North America
www.planetfriendly.net/voices.html#radioTV
Killaloe Craft and Community Fair
www.killaloefair.ca
Green & Healthy Summer Festivals, Retreats & Gatherings
www.planetfriendly.net/summerfest.html
(2004 edition coming soon)
Cool Hemp
www.coolhemp.com
Photo of Tooker near Killaloe
www.planetfriendly.net/tooker/
Killaloe, Ontario
http://directory.google.com/Top/Regional/North_America/
Canada/Ontario/Localities/K/Killaloe/
Tooker & Angela's Greenspiration Website
www.greenspiration.org
– pb
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mac
Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 2
PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:47 pm Post subject: A ritual for tooker at the medicine wheel.
Reply
with quote
the memorials for tooker (which I attended) were blessed with sacred space large enough for the whole
communtiy, and cleared my habitual plans for the coming year with openness. Lessons about rituals were
lived out in an organic way, and I knew especially from the alters of tooker's momentos that I should take
some offerings in his memory to the medicine wheel.
It was a totally sacred mission, winding with divine guidance for four months with offerings securely stashed
in the recesses of my backpack, like the ubiquitous falafel sandwich. On the way the mission was blessed, as
it were, by bhagavan das; I rescued a working mountain bike left in the seaweed on an empty beach where I
stayed for the night; a large tree was undertaken from a friendly stopover native reserve; and on final
arrival I cleansed and smudged right away, all spirits in notice of the installation.
this was the pronouncement of the I-ching:
"Here we find a person trying to accomplish something great on his own, and getting his head wet.
Obviously this indicates a dangerous situation. Mutual support and cooperation are vital to success. Those
who believe that they can accomplish major enterprises best single-handed have lost sight of what it means
to be a true leader."
In the morning I moved to a new home on the beach, did other rituals and was then blessed by an unusually
low tide to explore far reaches of the beach where I hadn't been before, which I remember thinking about
at tooker's memorial. When leaving a while later, I checked back in to the medicine wheel and saw that the
offerings for tooker were doing just fine in their new home.
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rochalain
Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:36 pm Post subject: An encounter with Tooker Reply with quote
A few years ago, I was an environmentalist student learning about many different things. Then at a climate
change conference in Ottawa, I met Tooker. I immidiatly went to talk to him. I remember clearly I asked him
: 'so how do figure a young person like me could get a job with Greenpeace?' for Greepeace had always held
an attraction for me, like a dream job. He replied to me "just get out there, put your face out in the public
and be known". I gave me his card with his phone number and that was that. For the next 2 years, I
canvassed for greepeace, doing some campagins and actions here and there, but nothing more. This was
about 4 years ago, but his name always stayed in my mind, I always remembered our brief conversation. I
was in Victoria visiting friends in April, trying to find a purpose in my life, and we went to the Namaste Cafe
for a benefit concert for Tre Arrow (who was unjustly emprissoned and is now starving to death in
Vancouver while pending exportation to the states on alleged eco-terrorism charges) when Tooker's best
friend gave me an article, he said, here read this
and it was about Tooker and him jumping off a bridge in Halifax. I was shocked and had to sit. I was silent
for a while, remembering how much he had inspired me to get out there and all....
He was an inspiration to me, almost an eco-hero.
Like Tre Arrow, who is now dying because the prison will not allow him his vegan diet.
I ask myself, with all the mind controls and liberty infregements, with our collective consciousness being
toyed with, and herded into destructive paradigms, is it worth it? is fighting and standing up to it all the
answer?
Tooker jumped off a bridge, and Tre is starving himself out,
can we awake together before its too late, before too many of us fall into depression and dramas, before
too many of us die of diseases, of hunger, of thirst, of contamination.
They say critical mass is 3%. 30 million
When heroes die, they create more heroes. And i beleive that Tooker's words and Tre's compassion and
determination are uplifting and liberating.
we are the ones we have been waiting for.
It is far too easy to drive the paved electrical road and learn nothing than it is to toil the trail and become a
man of wisdom.
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Peter Blanchard
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Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:05 pm Post subject: Silence and Suicide, by Angela Bischoff
with quote
Silence and Suicide, by Angela Bischoff
Tooker's partner, Angela Bischoff writes on the
connections between suicide, drugs, and the
medical profession:
Quote:
Tooker suffered from depression, an illness
that made it difficult for him to reach out. He
suffered because there are few resources for
those with modest incomes. He suffered because
society fails to accept and deal with mental illness.
But Tooker died, I believe, because he reacted
adversely to his anti-depressant medication.
Quote:
Suicide is largely preventable. Yet it is epidemic,
having tripled over the past 45 years. At the same
time, pharmaceutical use has increased dramatically.
Quote:
It is a myth that talking about suicide will induce it.
The psychiatric community knows that talking saves
lives. So why the media blackout? Why the lack of
information? Why the taboo?
The complete article: www.greenspiration.org/Article/SilenceAndSuicide.html
More links & resources:
Depression & Mood Disorders
http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/Mood/
Suicide
http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/Suicide/
Activist Support Forum
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
Let's Help Each Other Heal
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=73
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PaulW
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Joined: 01 Aug 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Gananoque
PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 11:26 am Post subject: Stunned Today
Reply with quote
It was with nothing but stunned surprise that today I read of Tooker's passing. Having then followed up with
Angela's remarks, I now feel far less surprised.
I myself have suffered with mental illness all of my life, and have intimate experience with the medical and
psychiatric communities of Ontario as a result. If the authorities were to devote themselves to an active
program of eliminating mentally ill persons, they could hardly fare better than what is presently being
achieved.
When I lived in Edmonton some years ago, and as a bicycle commuter through some of the most
unforgiving traffic conditions I've encountered, I appreciated Tooker's activism (though perhaps not his selfpreservation instincts!) I found his antics amusing at times, and enjoyed them best when they left those in
authority scrambling for any valid response to his challenges. Tooker wasn't often realistic, but he wasn't
often wrong either.
Then I moved away from Alberta. Imagine my surprise, when I moved to Ontario years later, to find he had
turned up in Toronto! Unfortunately, too far away for me to hear of his activities, if any. But it was still nice
to know he was there.
And then, at some point he moved to Halifax. I wish that Halifax had been a more pleasant experience, to
say the least.
So, this really sucks big time. I would never have known but for a fluke visit to Maplemusic, where a link to
this site appears.
To everyone who knew Tooker personally, and especially to Angela, I can tell you I've been there, I know
how he was feeling, and once his mind was made up it was OK, you know, a great weight would have lifted
from him.
I feel bad for all you folks, and I think it's a shame for all Canadians that the future potential of such a
dynamic and talented individual was lost through such incompetence and mismangement. But that is the
way Canada is run, I'm afraid. Stupidly, that is.
Now Tooker gets a holiday from trying to knock sense into the heads of people and politicians who are
genetically immune to any form of sense. I hope he realizes that, despite the frustration of dealing with
these losers for so many years, he did accomplish an enormous amount of good whilst he was here with us.
Well done Tooker Gomberg! And on behalf of my family, thanks for making our own future a little bit safer
and more enjoyable.
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:13 pm Post subject: Eco Freako weekly CKDU program online
Reply
with quote
Great program to wich Tooker was a contributor, Angela keeps up the good work with this program live
from Dalhousie University...
Eco Freako
CKDU's ecological action show.
Local & International issues on environmental & social justice themes & events
5pm to 6pm(Atlantic Time) EVERY TUESDAY
4pm to 5pm(Eastern Time)
3pm to 4pm(Central Time)
2pm to 3pm(Mountain Time)
1pm to 2pm(Pacific Time)
Listen Online Live:
Hi Fi: http://live.ckdu.dal.ca:80
Lo-Fi: http://live.ckdu.dal.ca:81
Or tune in to 97.5 FM in Halifax
On air phone: 902 494 2487
Very often Tooker's writing, life work & contributions are quoted & mentioned on this program...
http://www.ckdu.ca/
Mr. Green
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Amandha
Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Toronto/Kingston
PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:44 am Post subject: TOOKER ENERGY Reply with quote
I would just like to share some inspiration today. Since Tooker's death, there have been huge changes in
myself and shifts in my external and internal realities. Knowing about Tooker (I called myself a disciple of
him because he inspired me to act and be strong against what seemed to be impossibly strong counterforces) and much of his work and actions, when he died something clicked inside me. It said to me "Now I
have to do a lot more than I was doing, there's no more Tooker energy to get it done". I began to meditate
and do affirmations on finding more like-minded souls in Toronto and area, I began sending out Tibdits with
a stronger force (my mass mail-out informing people about important enviro/social news, etc., that may be
hard to find, for the most part, for many people). I needed to be doing more than I was, to try and offset
such a huge loss and a huge force on the side of the "light-warriors". I also bet there are many others who
felt what I did.
The energy continued, however. It was like a hand came down and guided me to the right time-space so
that I could meet Fiona who created non-profit Sustainable Spirit. I floated directly to the table at the Raw
Peace festival on May 1st, like magic, and said "Hi, how can I help?" Ever since, Sustainable Spirit with Fiona,
lovely Kate (who arrived on the scene about the same time as I) and myself, has been flowering and growing
and we've been so successful in getting the word out for the greatest good of all. We are still working on
our website (www.sustainablespirit.org). We hope to be a very comprehensive source of info and resources
for activists and non-activists alike, to connect health, and planet back to spirit and what really matters. To
show others how to embrace diversity to manifest unity.
I really feel that a part of Tooker is within me now. I believe this was the gift of his death. His energy was
not lost, in fact the opposite: it was given as a gift, a seed, many seeds, for all of us to nourish and grow
inside of us so that together we can give out to the world more Tooker energy than was ever possible
before. His death, even though it is something which "shouldn't have happened", DID happen. And I believe
in divine order, that nothing is really a mistake. Tooker died and used his death to spread his love energy to
all of us, to be the spark for those disciples here and now and for those still to come. His death is NOT for
nothing....not one bit. If fact his death in this way may be what saves us all. Thank you so much Tooker for
this gift, may we all use it wisely.
With gratitude, Amandha Vollmer
_________________
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849), "Eleonora"
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 9:17 am Post subject: CD released including Mike Ford's song about
Tooker...
Reply with quote
Hello friends of Tooker,
For those of you who attended the memorial for Tooker in
Toronto, you would've seen Mike Ford perform his original
song written in honor of Tooker called Tooker: Le Monde a
Bicyclette (The World on a Bicycle). The tune is posted up
on our website: http://www.greenspiration.org
It's an incredible song, both heart-wrenching and upbeat.
It really gives a sense of Tooker's vision and contribution.
If you haven't heard it yet, enjoy...
It has been released on CD, with proceeds going to the
Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration Fund (also see
http://www.greenspiration.org for details)
Thanks Mike... What an honor...
– angela greenspi@web.ca
----------News Release
Moxy Fruvous' Mike Ford Releases Album,
Does Some Do-Gooding
Wednesday June 02, 2004 @ 03:30 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff
Moxy Fruvous
Mike Ford, one quarter of Canada's once famed a capella
band Moxy Fruvous, is releasing his first solo album.
Ford's new album, Stars Shone On Toronto, will be
released this Friday.
Ford's will celebrate the album's release at Toronto's Hugh's
Room (2261 Dundas Street West), located in Roncesvalles
Village. Stars Shone On Toronto features a collection of
songs that were inspired by Ford's interest in acoustic folk
music.
The album consists of eight tracks, which are all based
on characters, places or events in Canadian history essentially a celebration of Canada's past and present.
It also features tributes to Canada's environmental and
geographical history, consisting of songs about the
Oak Ridges Moraine, the effect that SUVs have on
our environment and also a special track in memory
of environmental and social justice activist Tooker
Gomberg, who recently passed away.
In a statement, Ford says, "Inspiration is the most important
thing in the world. There's no lack of earth-saving ideas out
there, but what's so often missing is the will to get up and
act on them. I wrote a song for Tooker because I want the
audiences I sing to to know about his brilliant activism,
and to pass on the sparks of inspiration."
The CD can be purchased for $15 through
http://www.Maplemusic.com/ , with $1.50 of the proceeds
for each CD going to the Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration
Fund, which works to support Canada's environment, a
cause Gomberg was extremely active in throughout his life.
For the last several years, Ford has also been educating
school kids on Canada's history using his musical talents
through his company, Canada In Song. "Sometimes with
a song you can express some of the emotional content of a
life," says Ford, "an element that's hard to find in history
books and statistical data."
- Stephanie Lagopoulos
-<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Eulogies and Condolences for Tooker
and Stories of ecology and activism
http://www.greenspiration.org
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Join our email list by emailing us at:
greenspiration@web.ca
Write "subscribe" in the subject line
and tell us what city/country you live in
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
[topical: Music and Art for Social Change
www.planetfriendly.net/art ]
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 1:31 pm Post subject: International Homage to EcoHero in lights
ByMinisterBelanger
Reply with quote
International Homage to Eco hero in lights
by Minister Belanger • Saturday June 05, 2004 at 01:20 AM
owlmon@goldcity.net 1-250-992-6749 State of Awareness
*Initially found here: http://vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2004/06/140812.php
Tributes to men seldom provide lessons so contingent on our species survival as this man did. His reluctance
to allow multinationals to run amok on our home and heritage is what has inspired memorials and
gatehreings across Canada in his memory...
The efforts and archived films of Tooker Gomberg Canada's formost eco activist and defender were
complimented by refreshments and a welcomed atmosphere put on and succinctly historically narrated by
Jean of Greenspiration/Velorution at Video In Studio's last thursday night located at 1965 Main St. in
Vancouver.
The images were amazingly clear and emotionally impacting as projected on a 10x 15' wall screen.
This timely screening of Tookers activities past, defintely brought Tooker to life and the memories were
effectively flowing along with the tears the visual aspect of seeing Tooker at work provoked.
For those of you who did not know Tooker Gomberg he was the guy who would swim to shore to get help if
the motor failed on your boat or he would put himself in dangers way to save another. Not to many that we
know are like that. This man was not interested in personal; gain or benefit. He was all for mutual gain and
benefit. This man of vision partenered with his dynamo powered wife Angela have done more for the
environmental awareness movement in Canada than anyone else I have ever known other than David
Suzuki and I place Tooker and Angela right up there beside him. Tookers bravery and alternative approach
to corruption exposure are what has led us to accountability in environmental disasters. No simple lets do
what the other guy is doing was good enough for Tooker.
He was a true innovator and champion of the peoples cause. His heart was on loan to many who did not
even know him or had ever heard of him.
The Man , Jean, who organised this event is truly a friend of Tooker and Angela as he dedicated his time and
effort in the knowledge of how important what Tooker and Angela did and are still doing as planters of
seeds of wisdom for the defense of our home germinate, sprout, and finally take root back into mother
earth where our roots belong.
Richard(Tooker)was a true leader of amazingly powerful moral stature that showed us how to apply the
energy ,....now all we have to so is follow his example.
Complicated act to follow?? Not really . Just place one foot in front of the next..... Just repeat until
sucessful...
"It's just that simple!"
Blessings on all who attended and urgency for those who did not, to find out what this man Tooker
Gomberg did for our and our children's benefit.
It is rare to see an evidence trail as the kind Tooker left behind...... It leads right to the doors of all the major
Corporations.
Shall ignore the trail and not be on it?
We Need
We need we plead for the fate of Generations to come
Are you gonna watch earth bleed or join to beat the drum
Together we can stand for what is and whats to be joining hearts as well as hands as we fight for what was
free.
It's your planet that you use and it's how you treat the land and the water that we drink, do you start to
understand?
It's the air that is in your lungs and the food that's on your plate and the poisons it contains, is there any
time to wait?
We need we plead for the fate of generations to come
We can all come together now join to beat the drum
To the directors of the boards that control our planets fate surely there is one of them that will help us to
relate.
We need we plead for the fate of generations to come
Blessings Exclamation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edited by Jii-VeloJuanito ( with a few comas & so...)
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aitimaa
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:35 am Post subject: Thank you, Tooker
Reply with quote
I moved to BC last year from Toronto, and with the election my partner and I were talking today wondering
whatever happened to Tooker and we wondered what he thought of everything going on. So I went to
check his website and get this terrible news.
I am sitting here crying and I don't know what to write really. I just wanted to tell someone how much I
appreciated and admired Tooker. I used to like getting his e-mails about all his doings around Toronto, and I
used to check his site regularly to see what he was up to. He was always so helpful and kind to me
whenever I e-mailed him to ask for help with anything or asked advice from him. He was always supportive.
I remember playing a benefit show for him and feeling so proud to be asked and included. I remember
cheering him on with my roommate when he was running for mayor. I remember feeling so great when I
put my X on the spot.
I often wish I was more of an activist myself, instead, I support and talk about people who are. And feel
really great when they get the message across. Maybe it's like supporting a sports team, standing on the
sidelines and hoping they win. Maybe I put too much stress on people like Tooker, they took the weight of
the world on as well as the responsibility for doing and saying what I couldn't.
If Tooker didn't think he had much of a life, well he certainly allowed for the rest of us to have more of one.
I really appreciate and am thankful for his impact on my life. It is a terrible loss.
But maybe he can do something from behind the scenes, so to speak. Very Happy
I'll miss you, Tooker - not just 'activist' but SUPERHERO. I wish you peace.
Love to you all
Caroline
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Fri May 28, 2004 12:52 am Post subject: Link to poster for Vancouver Video Memorial Reply
with quote
Link to poster for Vancouver Video Memorial:
http://vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/138465.php
Link to anouncement for Vancouver Video Memorial:
http://vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/137385.php
Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2004 7:53 pm Post subject: VaANCOUVER: See you at the movies! A video
memorial JUNE 03
Reply with quote
See you at the movies! ***A video memorial for activist Tooker Gomberg***
Come to an evening & screening of Tooker's(own) videos: ~~~~~ A memorial for activist Tooker Gomberg
~~~~~
~~~A call to renewed action! Meet Tooker! See Tooker!~~~
Come to an evening & screening of Tooker's(own) videos:
~~~~~ A memorial for activist Tooker Gomberg ~~~~~
When: Thursday, June 3nd, 2004
6pm to midnight
(people are welcome to arrive 1/2 hour early to share about Tooker's life)
where: Video In Studios, 1965 Main Street( between 3rd & 4th Avenue East )
in South-East False Creek- Mt Pleasant area
(buses: 03, 08, 19; "Main-Science World" Skytrain, also 99B-line & bus
09 on Broadway)
...& of course tha BICYCLE-LA BiCYCLETTe-XEDAP- FIETS-le VELO...
For description go here:
http://vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/135205.php
& link to program here:
http://www.greenspiration.org/Memorial/VideoMemorial.html#top
By donation: suggested 5-10$ (No one turned away for lack of funds)
Refreshments & vegan food available by Pumpkin Patch Kitchen Works &
Ginger Draught(all natural, non-alcoolic)
You can also bring your own potluck style...
So we can estimate participation at the event, people are welcome to let
us know, if they plan to attend...
If possible please e-mail : cycloeil@yahoo.ca
or leave a message at 604 682 3269 ext: 9521
Great thanks! to ~Video In~ for providing the space for this event...
...big thanks to Hadas for technical support & helping organise this
memorial...
...also kudos & big thanks to Sheryl & Barb from Rainbow Bridge
Communications & Kelly from Boiling Frog Videos for all of their fabulous
work & assistance...
...Ackowledgements & appreciation to all the people, friends & family
making this serie of memorials, forums & healing happen & for manifesting
Tooker's vision & inspirAction... in each & everyone's own way...
Big pedal powered thank you to Carless Carmen, Amy & the Momentum Zine...
& Kudos for promoting self-propelled culture...
Kudos & warm thoughts to Angela in these sensitive times...
http://www.greenspiration.org
http://videoinstudios.com
http://www.web.net/~rainbow/
http://boilingfrog.ca/
http://www.momentummagazine.com
>>>>Poster & flyer pdf can be(SOON) found here: [
>>> http://vancouver.indymedia.org ] on the newswire
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Eulogies and Condolences for Tooker
and Stories of ecology and activism
http://www.greenspiration.org
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Join our email list by emailing us at:
greenspiration@web.ca
Write "subscribe" in the subject line
and tell us what city/country you live in
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<~~~~~~~~~~~Tooker Gomberg~~~~~~~~~~~>
~Memorial Discussion Forum & Bulletin Board~
<a public on-line community to learn about and>
<discuss the life and ideas of Tooker Gomberg>
*** http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/ ***
VIVA ! LA VELORUTION !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can contact Angela at:
greenspiration@web.ca
or by snailmail at:
Greenspiration!
Angela Bischoff
2A Harbour Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
CANADA
B2Y 3N9
Phone: 902.464.7447
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VIVA ! la VELORUTION !
for info-contactE-MAIL: cycloeil@yahoo.ca
info contact: 604 779 3691 (VeloJuanito-Da ZillionLeafletman)
SEE: http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/25990_comment.php#25997
or SEE: http://vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/136294.php
or SEE: http://alberta.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/10085.php
Very Happy
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renecoignaud
Joined: 04 Apr 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:53 am Post subject: Trying to get something done with the "Lost Doc"
Reply with quote
Hi,
I thought maybe I should suggest that people ask Ralph Klein
what he's going to do about the "Lost Doc" and why. If
Tooker failed to get any answer, maybe if all the people
who have admired his work keep asking his questions, it will
make enough people to get Mr. Klein to consider doing something?
To contact Mr. Klein:
Legislature Office
#307, 10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2B7
Phone: (780) 427-2251
Fax: (780) 427-1349
E-mail address: premier@gov.ab.ca
Here's what I sent:
Dear Premier Klein,
I was reading the last article Tooker Gomberg wrote
about his tireless attempt to get you to do something
about climate change by asking you to implement
recommendations of a document produced by your
government over a decade ago on how Alberta could
save money by investing in greenhouse gas reductions.
I was impressed (as always) by his dedication and shocked
that he couldn't get the attention of Alberta's government.
I though I should try to honour his memory by doing a bit
to support the work he did for our planet. I will probably
not get the answers he tried to get for weeks by any mean
imaginable (and even unimaginable) but I must at least try.
I would very much appreciate to know what was done of this
report and why. I would also like to know what could be
done of it now, what will be done of it and why.
His last article
http://www.greenspiration.org/Article/UnfinishedBusiness.html
The executive summary of the document:
http://people.uleth.ca/~hall/sp_Paper_nbsp_on_nbsp_the_nbsp_Potential_nbsp_For_nbsp_Reducing_nbs
p_Carbon_nbsp_Dioxide_nbsp_Emissions_nbsp_in_nbsp_Alberta_nbsp__nbsp_Executive_nbsp_Summary.pdf
Sincerely,
René Coignaud
403, Alexandre-Taché, appt. 3
Gatineau (secteur Hull), Québec
J9A 1M6
r.coignaud@vif.ca
(819) 777-7028
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 6:04 pm Post subject: Brian Johnston's comments on the Tooker Memorial
screening
Reply with quote
Some of us got this in our e-mail, now i wonder was this following the Edmonton(thurd A-22) or the
Toronto(Mon A-26) screening?
*** Velo Juanito
Subject: Brian Johnston's concluding comments on the Tooker Memorial screening
From: "Brian Johnston" <brian.johnston@telusplanet.net>
Date: Tue, April 27, 2004 10:15 am
Brian's concluding comments regarding the * "Lost Document"
The Lost Document, formally know as "A Discussion Paper on the Potential for
Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Alberta 1988-2005" was published by the
Energy Efficiency Branch of the Alberta Department of Energy in January of
1991. Some of the results of the paper are as follows:
1. A carbon dioxide reduction of 7.8% accruing from implementation of the
energy reduction measures. This is beyond Kyoto and was developed before
Kyoto!
2. The capital cost of the measures is $6.7 billion....An energy mega
project.(or an mega negawatt project!)
3. The first years savings resulting from the investment is $2.2 billion
4. Average payback on investment of 3.1 years. Just think after 3.1 years
the investment would be paid for and a steady net revenue stream of $2.2
billion per year after that. This was 13 years ago! Is this a $22 billion
dollar boondoogle?
Assumptions:
1.That any individual energy efficiency measure not exceed a 10 year
payback.
2. That the measures meeting the payback criteria be instantly applied with
full market penetration.
The Lost Document can be found at www.rbcc.ca. Read it for yourself!
Our society has chained itself the the automobile, which is now chaining
itself to the tar sands, as we run out of conventional oil. As the ghost of
Jacob Marley said ...."tis a ponderous chain!).
Tooker was unable to confront Premier Klein about the "Lost Document" in
life. He was scheduled to appear in court resulting from charges from
locking
himself in Kleins vault on March 1, 2 and 3rd trying to raise the awareness
of the "Lost Document".
On the evening of the 3rd he went missing.
Perhaps the ghost of Tooker Gomberg will catch up with our Premier.
Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2004 7:53 pm Post subject: VaANCOUVER: See you at the movies! A video
memorial JUNE 03
Reply with quote
See you at the movies! ***A video memorial for activist Tooker Gomberg***
Come to an evening & screening of Tooker's(own) videos: ~~~~~ A memorial for activist Tooker Gomberg
~~~~~
~~~A call to renewed action! Meet Tooker! See Tooker!~~~
Come to an evening & screening of Tooker's(own) videos:
~~~~~ A memorial for activist Tooker Gomberg ~~~~~
When: Thursday, June 3nd, 2004
6pm to midnight
(people are welcome to arrive 1/2 hour early to share about Tooker's life)
where: Video In Studios, 1965 Main Street( between 3rd & 4th Avenue East )
in South-East False Creek- Mt Pleasant area
(buses: 03, 08, 19; "Main-Science World" Skytrain, also 99B-line & bus
09 on Broadway)
...& of course tha BICYCLE-LA BiCYCLETTe-XEDAP- FIETS-le VELO...
For description go here:
http://vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/135205.php
& link to program here:
http://www.greenspiration.org/Memorial/VideoMemorial.html#top
By donation: suggested 5-10$ (No one turned away for lack of funds)
Refreshments & vegan food available by Pumpkin Patch Kitchen Works &
Ginger Draught(all natural, non-alcoolic)
You can also bring your own potluck style...
So we can estimate participation at the event, people are welcome to let
us know, if they plan to attend...
If possible please e-mail : cycloeil@yahoo.ca
or leave a message at 604 682 3269 ext: 9521
Great thanks! to ~Video In~ for providing the space for this event...
...big thanks to Hadas for technical support & helping organise this
memorial...
...also kudos & big thanks to Sheryl & Barb from Rainbow Bridge
Communications & Kelly from Boiling Frog Videos for all of their fabulous
work & assistance...
...Ackowledgements & appreciation to all the people, friends & family
making this serie of memorials, forums & healing happen & for manifesting
Tooker's vision & inspirAction... in each & everyone's own way...
Big pedal powered thank you to Carless Carmen, Amy & the Momentum Zine...
& Kudos for promoting self-propelled culture...
Kudos & warm thoughts to Angela in these sensitive times...
http://www.greenspiration.org
http://videoinstudios.com
http://www.web.net/~rainbow/
http://boilingfrog.ca/
http://www.momentummagazine.com
>>>>Poster & flyer pdf can be(SOON) found here: [
>>> http://vancouver.indymedia.org ] on the newswire
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Eulogies and Condolences for Tooker
and Stories of ecology and activism
http://www.greenspiration.org
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Join our email list by emailing us at:
greenspiration@web.ca
Write "subscribe" in the subject line
and tell us what city/country you live in
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<~~~~~~~~~~~Tooker Gomberg~~~~~~~~~~~>
~Memorial Discussion Forum & Bulletin Board~
<a public on-line community to learn about and>
<discuss the life and ideas of Tooker Gomberg>
*** http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/ ***
VIVA ! LA VELORUTION !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can contact Angela at:
greenspiration@web.ca
or by snailmail at:
Greenspiration!
Angela Bischoff
2A Harbour Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
CANADA
B2Y 3N9
Phone: 902.464.7447
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VIVA ! la VELORUTION !
for info-contactE-MAIL: cycloeil@yahoo.ca
info contact: 604 779 3691 (VeloJuanito-Da ZillionLeafletman)
SEE: http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/25990_comment.php#25997
or SEE: http://vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/136294.php
or SEE: http://alberta.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/10085.php
Very Happy
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:53 am Post subject: Tooker's Life in Video, Mon Apr 26, 7pm, Toronto,
free
Reply with quote
Tooker's Life in Video
-----------------------------Monday April 26, 7:00 pm
OISE Auditorium, 253 Bloor St. W. (St. George Subway)
Free Admission
donations accepted to the Tooker Gomberg Memorial Activist Fund
View some of Tookers greatest adventures in Video:
- the 2000 Mayoral race,
- UN Climate Talks/Passport burning,
- Arrest and deportation looking for nukes in The Netherlands,
- keeping up the pressure on Mike Harris,
- Cycling with Angela for Greenspiration in Asia,
- Burning Earth Day,
and more...
3 hr program with 15 min intermission, bring your own refreshments.
PLEASE download and POST some posters in your travels this week.
www.web.net/~rainbow/grafix/tooker_poster.tif
or follow the link on the bottom right hand side of www.rbcc.ca
Can anyone get a PSA on the campus radios?
see you at the show!
kelly
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 5:45 am Post subject:
Reply with quote
In Toronto on Earth Day 26 April 04 after the Tooker memorial video night: A call to renewed action Event,
some people & friends gathered had a toast to Tooker & about 10 second later some lightning erupted as
the beginning of a lighting storm & shortly after a lighting bolt also rose from the CN Tower .
In 2000 Tooker, Angela, Kelly, & i, had climbed that tower all the way up the stairs to the top...
& i remember Tooker & i, both inspired by the landscape & the panoramic view, sharing ideas about a vision
of a sustainable Toronto with recycling & composting, solar, wind &methane from compost power
generation... & whole string of practical ideas economicaly & environmentally beneficial; all of them
requiring only the political will...
Some of these seeds of projects have started to grow, be manifested & be implemented by dedicated
citizens keeping these types of visions alive...
Da zillion leaflet man @ ;-}) ~
Rolling Eyes *** Surprised
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 10:48 am Post subject: Tooker on activism, finding balance, avoiding burnout
Reply with quote
Tooker on activism, finding balance, avoiding burnout
Hello friends of Tooker,
Below is a piece written by Tooker on Earth Day, 2002. At the time
he was suffering from severe depression; the piece was a private
exercise for his therapist.
Tooker spent his entire adult life doing inspiring and often
successful work for a greener, healthier world. In 2001, in his own
words, he "hit a wall". For the first time in his life, he battled
burnout.
I am circulating this article because I think it contains some
important messages for all of us who are working for a better world.
For those interested in further discussing these ideas, there has
been an Activist Support Forum / Discussion set up at
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
- Angela Bischoff
greenspi@web.ca
www.greenspiration.org
(This message has been posted here and in the
[url=http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21]
Activist Support Forum[/url] . To discuss this posting or its themes,
click the oval "Post Reply" button, near top left. The Tooker
Gomberg forum requires that you register, while the
[url=http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21]
Activist Support Forum[/url] does not. - ed)
-------------------------------April 22, 2002, Earth Day
Letter to an Activist
by Tooker Gomberg
An exercise for his therapist
Dear Activist:
It's another strange day for me. Things have been strange for eight
months or more. I used to be an activist. Now I don't know what I am.
Did you ever read the Kafka story about the guy who wakes up and he
has turned into a cockroach?
My mind is in a fog - I can't think very clearly. Making a sandwich
takes a long time - I have to concentrate on every step along the
way, and I am moving very slowly and deliberately. I feel like I am
stunned, and spaced out most of the time. Today is Earth Day, but I
feel I am on another planet.
I have been spending lots of time in bed, mostly sleeping, dozing,
and dreaming.
It feels like my mind has melted down, though I am told that it comes
back once the depression lifts. Whenever that is. For some people it
seems to be months, for others years, and others never get out of it.
But I am writing to you about activism, not the frightening impacts
of depression.
Amory Lovins, the great energy efficiency guru, once called me a
Hyper-Activist. I guess that's what I was. I lived, breathed, and
focussed on activism. It kept me thinking, inspired, interested, and
alive.
But it also allowed me to ignore other things in life that now,
suddenly, I realize I never developed. This makes me sad and
despondent.
I used to enjoy cooking, but stopped. I always liked kids, but never
really thought about having kids of our own. Changing the world was
more important, and having a kid would interfere with our life's work
of changing the world.
I didn't develop my mind in a broad way, learning about music and art
and theatre and poetry, for example. It was focussed on changing the
world. I never really thought about a career - I was living my life,
not worrying about the trappings and credentials of the boring,
status quo world.
Maybe I was living in a bubble of naiveté, doing my own thing,
unconcerned that my perspectives and actions were so different from
"normal". I never wanted to be normal anyways. Normal got us into the
mess we're in.
So now I find myself, with my sliver of being smashed to smithereens
after being assaulted by police in Quebec City, a security guard in
City Hall, and various other security guards during the mayoralty
race. And numerous arrests.
Or maybe it was the tear gas, and last summer's smog. Maybe I pushed
my brain too hard, and overstressed it with the run for Mayor of
Toronto, or the passport burning, or 20 years of pushing against the
juggernaut. And maybe Sept. 11 firmed up my worries into a real fear
that working for change was really dangerous.
Or it could be a physiological response to too much coffee, stress,
and smog. Maybe I've burned out my adrenal glands. Maybe my brain is
poisoned from so much thinking about tragic ecological issues,
pondering bad air, and getting frustrated at the slow rate of
improvement and the rapid destruction of the living world. Could my
brain have been damaged when I was close to dying with heat stroke in
Vietnam in 1998?
I should have developed a deeper kinship with my family and with
people. Don't get me wrong - I had lots of friends and acquaintances
in the activist world. But they were not deep friends of the heart. I
neglected my heart, and how I was feeling about things, about people,
about situations. Now that I'm in crisis I don't really have the
language to connect with people. The silence is easier than trying to
explain what I'm going through, or to relate to other people's issues
or problems.
So what advice can I offer? Stay rounded. Do the activism, but don't
overdo it. If you burn out, or tumble into depression, you'll become
no good to anyone, especially yourself. When you're in this state,
nothing seems worthwhile, and there's nothing to look forward to.
It's honourable to work to change the world, but do it in balance
with other things. Explore and embrace the things you love to do, and
you'll be energetic and enthusiastic about the activism. Don't drop
hobbies or enjoyments. Be sure to hike and dance and sing. Keeping
your spirit alive and healthy is fundamental if you are to keep going.
I never really understood what burnout was. I knew that it affected
active people, but somehow I thought I was immune to it. After all, I
took breaks every now and then and went travelling. And all my work
was done in partnership with Ange, the great love of my life.
But in the end, when burnout finally caught up to me, it was mega,
and must have been the accumulation of decades of stress and
avoidance. And now I find myself in a dark and confusing labyrinth
trying to feel my way back to sanity and calm.
So beware. Take this warning seriously. If you start slipping into
the hole of depression and you notice yourself losing enthusiasm and
becoming deeply disenchanted, take a break and talk with a friend
about it. Don't ignore it. The world needs all the concerned people
it can get. If you can stay in the struggle for the long haul you can
make a real positive contribution, and live to witness the next
victory!
-30[to discuss this posting or the issues it raises,
click the oval "Post Reply" button, at top or bottom left]
Related links & resources:
Tooker & Angela's website, eulogies, events, more...
www.greenspiration.org
Activist Support Forum / Discussion
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
Burnout, Stress, Depression - links & resources
www.planetfriendly.net/health.html#stress
www.dmoz.org/Society/Work/Job_Burnout/
www.dmoz.org/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/Mood/Depression/
Do Not Burn Yourself Out, by Edward Abbey
www.abbeyweb.net/quotes.htx?query=paragraph&op=search
Creating Stronger Community - Discussion & Links
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
Ten Commandments For Changing The World
www.greenspiration.org/Article/TenCommandments.html
How To Be An Activist
www.sierraclub.ca/national/activist.html
Preparing for a Campaign
www.stopcancer.org/action/organize.html
Activism Resources & Strategies
www.dmoz.org/Society/Activism/
Citizen's Handbook
www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/
Thanks to Peter Blanchard for the links...
-angela
-<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Eulogies and Condolences for Tooker
and Stories of ecology and activism
www.greenspiration.org
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Join our email list by emailing us at:
greenspiration@web.ca
Write "subscribe" in the subject line
and tell us what city/country you live in
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Last edited by Peter Blanchard on Fri May 05, 2006 5:38 pm; edited 2 times in total
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jmgiza
Joined: 26 Apr 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 1:46 pm Post subject: Tooker on Burnout Reply with quote
A very kind soul forwarded Tooker's piece on activism burnout to me. I'm very grateful, because I think we
can all relate to some extent to what Tooker is talking about. It's very discouraging sometimes when you
work so hard for so little visible result. I've forwarded this piece to every activist I know, and hope everyone
else does likewise.
Peace.
Joanne
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BarbAllard
Guest
PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 4:18 pm Post subject: Tooker & Mirella // from cynicism to hope
with quote
[Based on an e-mail Barb sent to me - posted with permission. - peter]
Reply
Peter,
I would be honoured if you use my quote to help initiate discussion about the topic of creating a stronger
activist community. I'd like it noted, though, that I was in a highly upset state when I wrote that. (I don't
normally rant at strangers in emails.) I am actually feeling much more peaceful today.
The environmentalist community in Edmonton lost another long-term compadre and dear friend this
weekend. Mirella Zappone was so distressed about the news of Tooker's death that she decided to drive
into Edmonton, from Joussard, near Lesser Slave Lake, to be with us and mourn. She hit a slippery patch and
was rear-ended by a semi-trailer. At the time I wrote to you she was unconscious in ICU. She passed away
today.
Mirella was one person who was always about the people. She never let anyone slip away. When she was in
the hospital, a phone-tree was started to spread the news to all her friends. To make a long story short, I
wound up phoning people, seeing people, hugging old friends, many of whom I'd drifted away from over
the years. In addition, they closed the Driftpile school where Mirella had been teaching since September, so
that all the other teachers, Native and White, could come to see her. Her family decided today to allow the
doctors to remove the life support, as the damage to the brain was so extensive. I do believe the presence
of all of us was a small consolation, when they saw how many people she had touched in her short time
here.
Tonight, there were northern lights over Edmonton. I wondered if all the love and pain and grief going
around today - for Tooker and Mirella and all of us - was streaming over the city, reflecting off the night sky.
I know that I'm going to carry Tooker and Mirella around in my heart forever, and they are still alive as long
as we continue to come together and continue to work for a better world.
So there ya go. From utter cynicism to hope in a couple of days (I've kind of lost track). I'm not fooled
though. There is much work to be done, and many pitfalls ahead.
Take care.
Barb Allard
[Editor's note: you can see Barb's first message in the Creating Stronger Community forum:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18 ]
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SpdParnell
Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 3
Location: Toronto, ON
PostPosted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:58 pm Post subject:
Hi Barb.
Reply with quote
Under any other circumstances I would not think to reply, but I have to tell you that your posts on this topic
have moved me and helped me to veiw this tragedy in a positive light. thank you.
furthermore I hope you are alright, I know how much these two people in particular menat to you and to all
who knew them.
please except my condolences and pass them on to any who may be interested.
Samm
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SpdParnell
Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 3
Location: Toronto, ON
PostPosted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 4:28 pm Post subject: Goodbye Tooker and Mirella Reply with quote
I did not know Tooker and Angela as well as I would have liked, but I knew Mirella well and when I read Barb
Allards post about her I cried because she was so amazing and inspiring,
I would like to express my sadness at the loss of two people who to me were larger than life or even the
issues they fought for.
Godspeed Tooker and Mirella.
Samm
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wordsmith
Joined: 11 Mar 2004
Posts: 3
PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject: Edmonton, Earth Day: Tooker Video Memorial
&CallToAction Reply with quote
Tooker Gomberg - A Video Memorial and Call to Renewed Action
One Night Only - Earth Day
Thurs, April 22, 2004 @ 9pm
Metro Cinema, Citadel Theatre, 9828-101A Ave, Edmonton
Free Admission: Donations are encouraged to assist with presentation costs, & all proceeds are being
donated to the Tooker Gomberg Memorial Activist Fund.
Running time: approx 90 minutes
And WHAT is the "Lost Document"??? Following the films there will be a short presentation by friend &
colleague Brian Johnston, for those interested in more information about the "Lost Document" - quoted as
"the most important document I've seen in 20 years of environmental activism".
for more information:
http://www.greenspiration.org/Memorial/VideoMemorial.html#top
http://www.metrocinema.org/film_view?FILM_ID=446
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 10:28 pm Post subject: about the lost document
Tooker writes about "the lost document":
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=185
- peter
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 12:28 am Post subject: A18 - Victoria, TOOKER Gomberg Memorial bike ride
& - SU Reply with quote
A18 - Victoria, B.C., TOOKER Gomberg Memorial BIKE ride & Pic Nic
- SUNDAY April 18th
604 779 3691
GVCC Cycling Resource Centre, 1056a North Park, at 10:30am. SUNDAY
Rest peacefully, my dear friend Tooker.
Tooker Gomberg was one of Canada’s brightest eco-activists, always ready with a smile, a laugh, and a
bright way to draw the world’s attention to what really mattered. On Sunday April 18th we’ll do a bike ride
and picnic in Beacon Hill Park to share memories, and bid him farewell. Let’s meet at the GVCC Cycling
Resource Centre, 1056a North Park, at 10:30am. SUNDAY
tookeronbike.jpg, JPG image, 230x154
Victoria, TOOKER Gomberg Memorial bike ride & picnic SUNDAY
(Details at bottom)
Beacon Hill Park
Anyone interested in riding on BICYCLE together from Vancouver to Victoria... Saturday afternoon or
Sunday Morning!?!
from: http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=315#315
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I met Tooker and Angela soon after I arrived in Canada from England, in 1990, and what a delight this
friendship has been. What a celebration of joy, fun and possibility Tooker's life was. And yes, Tooker has
decided to leave, but oh, what joyful memories he leaves, in spite of his struggle with depression!
Is there anyone else here in Victoria, as well as myself and Kathryn Molloy, who would like to joun us for a
celebration of Tooker's life? We're going to get together on Sunday, April 18th, for a bike ride, a ceremony,
and a shared lunch in Beacon Hill Park. Please call me at 250-881-1304, if you'd like to join us!
Tooker, you were wonderful; you still are.
Angela - you still are too!
with love,
Guy Dauncey
Victoria
http://www.earthfuture.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken Barth
Guest
Friends of Tooker on Van Isl
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Hi Guy & Katherine:
I am in Campbell River but I would like to join the April 18th bike ride. I called and left my phone #s and email.
Cheers,
Ken Barth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tooker memorial bike ride on Sunday... I'll be there...
---------------I just went to all the memorials across the country & i will be there to commemorate & celebrate Tooker's
life & spirit...
I feel very sad & still sometimes fragile for i had planned to spend some time with Tooker recently, so my
healing is happenning & will be every time i am with all who honor his memory...
I will be forever inspired by Tooker's mirth, dedication & legacy...
Jiivan(Jean) * Confused * Surprised * Smile * Very Happy * Wink *
~~phone: 604 779 3691
Voicemail: 604 682 3269 ext: 9521
Anyone interested in riding together on BICYCLE from Vancouver to Victoria...
Saturday afternoon or Sunday Morning!?!
Phone me or e-mail me: velo_rution@riseup.net
*******************************************************
from: http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=315#315
http://www.greenspiration.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOOKER bike ride and picnic details
by Guy Dauncy •
250-881-1304
Victoria, GVCC Cycling Resource Centre, 1056a North Park, at 10:30am. SUNDAY
On Sunday April 18th we’ll do a bike ride and picnic in Beacon Hill Park to share memories, and bid him
farewell.
Let’s meet at the GVCC Cycling Resource Centre, 1056a North Park, at 10:30am. SUNDAY
Guy, 250-881-1304.
FAREWELL, TOOKER
Rest peacefully, my dear friend Tooker.
Tooker Gomberg was one of Canada’s brightest eco-activists, always ready with a smile, a laugh, and a
bright way to draw the world’s attention to what really mattered. For the past two years, Tooker suffered
persistent depression (triggered in part, maybe, by being tear-gassed at the Quebec Summit of the
America’s protest). On March 3rd, he parked his bike on the Halifax-Dartmouth bridge, and jumped off. His
body has not been found. All across Canada, people who have been inspired by Tooker and his many
colourful activities are grieving. Activist, writer, broadcaster, organizer, global cyclist, photographer,
educator, Edmonton city councillor, challenger to Mel Lastman as Mayor of Toronto, his exploits are
legendary. See http://www.greenspiration.org, to enjoy his life.
On Sunday April 18th we’ll do a bike ride and picnic in Beacon Hill Park to share memories, and bid him
farewell.
Let’s meet at the GVCC Cycling Resource Centre, 1056a North Park, at 10:30am. SUNDAY
Guy, 250-881-1304.
from: http://www.earthfuture.com/econews/
Also see: http://www.greenspiration.org
And: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=316#316
http://www.greenspiration.org
Mirth! chutzpah! dedication!
by Guy Dauncy - Jiivan •
tooker2.jpg, JPG image, 607x407
Love for all fellow human beeings, other beeings & the planet, that's Tooker's legacy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MAPS & MORE DETAILS...
by Jii • Tuesday April 13, 2004 at 01:57 PM
velo_rution@riseup.net 604 779 3691
Stawberry Knoll Park AREA to Beacon Hill Park
tooker_cropped.jpgdcpcsf.jpg, JPG image, 200x225
On Sunday April 18th we’ll do a bike ride and picnic in Beacon Hill Park to share memories, and bid him
farewell.
Let’s meet at the GVCC Cycling Resource Centre, 1056a North Park, at 10:30am. Guy, 881-1304.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FOR DIRECTIONS SEE MAP:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=search&countryid=41&addtohistory=&country=CA&
address=1056a+North+Park&city=Victoria&state=BC&zipcode=&submit=Get+Map
You can zoom in or zoom out on those maps...
North Rd is 1 block west of Interurban Rd off of Hastings St
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEE RED STAR ON MAPS...
Larger picture map:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=search&countryid=41&addtohistory=&country=CA&
address=1056a+North+Park&city=Victoria&state=BC&zipcode=&submit=Get+Map
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guydauncey
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 9:23 pm Post subject: Friends of Tooker in Victoria? Reply with quote
I met Tooker and Angela soon after I arrived in Canada from England, in 1990, and what a delight this
friendship has been. What a celebration of joy, fun and possibility Tooker's life was. And yes, Tooker has
decided to leave, but oh, what joyful memories he leaves, in spite of his struggle with depression!
Is there anyone else here in Victoria, as well as myself and Kathryn Molloy, who would like to joun us for a
celebration of Tooker's life? We're going to get together on Sunday, April 18th, for a bike ride, a ceremony,
and a shared lunch in Beacon Hill Park. Please call me at 250-881-1304, if you'd like to join us!
Tooker, you were wonderful; you still are.
Angela - you still are too!
with love,
Guy Dauncey
Victoria
http://www.earthfuture.com
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Ken Barth
Guest
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 4:45 pm Post subject: Friends of Tooker on Van Isl Reply with quote
Hi Guy & Katherine:
I am in Campbell River but I would like to join the April 18th bike ride. I called and left my phone #s and email.
Cheers,
Ken Barth
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 11:49 am Post subject: Tooker memorial bike ride on Sunday... I'll be there...
Reply with quote
I just went to all the memorials across the country & i will be there to commemorate & celebrate Tooker's
life & spirit...
I feel very sad & still sometimes fragile for i had planned to spend some time with Tooker recently, so my
healing is happenning & will be every time i am with all who honor his memory...
I will be forever inspired by Tooker's mirth, dedication & legacy...
Jiivan(Jean)
~~phone: 604 779 3691
Voicemail: 604 682 3269 ext: 9521
Anyone interested in riding together from Vancouver to Victoria...
Saturday afternoon or Sunday Morning!?! Smile
Phone me or e-mail me: velo_rution@riseup.net
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 12:29 pm Post subject: meet @ GVCC Cycling Resource Ctr, 1056a North
Park, 10:30am Reply with quote
FAREWELL, TOOKER
Rest peacefully, my dear friend Tooker.
Tooker Gomberg was one of Canada’s brightest eco-activists, always ready with a smile, a laugh, and a
bright way to draw the world’s attention to what really mattered. For the past two years, Tooker suffered
persistent depression (triggered in part, maybe, by being tear-gassed at the Quebec Summit of the
America’s protest). On March 3rd, he parked his bike on the Halifax-Dartmouth bridge, and jumped off. His
body has not been found. All across Canada, people who have been inspired by Tooker and his many
colourful activities are grieving. Activist, writer, broadcaster, organizer, global cyclist, photographer,
educator, Edmonton city councillor, challenger to Mel Lastman as Mayor of Toronto, his exploits are
legendary. See www.greenspiration.org, to enjoy his life.
On Sunday April 18th we’ll do a bike ride and picnic in Beacon Hill Park to share memories, and bid him
farewell.
Let’s meet at the GVCC Cycling Resource Centre, 1056a North Park, at 10:30am. SUNDAY
Guy, 881-1304.
from: http://www.earthfuture.com/econews/
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mez
Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Location: toronto
PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 11:56 pm Post subject: my memorial words Reply with quote
hey folks, a few people have asked me for the words i said about tooker at the toronto memorial.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of the first times I met Tooker, was at a memorial that he had organized. It was a memorial very much
like this one, except Tooker was there, beside me, and he was reading the eulogy. There were 6 other
people with us, with umbrellas, in the rain. And another thing that made it different from this memorial was
that my car was burried in front of us, on a 40 degree angle, half in the ground with the back wheels sticking
out. It was the 100th year anniversary of the death of Henry Bliss, who in 1899 took his final step off a
streetcar and became the first pedestrian killed by a car. Tooker wanted to raise awareness about the
millions of people who a have been killed by cars since then and he came up with this stunt to get the story
in the media.
A few years later, I had caught the contagious bug, of organising street performances and spectacles. I was
working on an event called Reclaim the Streets, which is an illegal street festival that temporarily replaces
cars with community. That year, we had marched up York Street, to the Toronto Stock Exchange and we
blocked-off the street to cars and had a big party. There were costumes and drums and a sound system and
dancing and celebration. Everyone was having a good time, but the police were getting a little angry. They
wanted to shut down the party, so they turned off the sound system and stole the speaker cables. As an
organiser, one of my roles is to negotiate with the police when they get angry. So we worked out an
arrangement that allowed us to keep dancing on the street, if we agreed to leave peacefully after 40
minutes. So the police gave us back the cables, and the music came back on, and everyone was dancing. The
senior officer came up to me and said “Mr. Meslin, we’re putting a lot of trust in you so we’re hoping you’ll
keep your end of the bargain.” “Sure,” I said “we’ll leave. Don’t worry.” He looked at me suspiciously. “Are
there any other surprises we should know about?” “No,” I said “this is it.” But before he could respond, his
eyes shifted to the side, and slightly upwards over my shoulder, as shock and confusion took over his face. I
turned my head to see what he was looking at. There was a dumptruck, full to the brim with rolls of sod.
People were on top of the pile, throwing rolls down to others. After a roll was caught, it would be carried to
the middle of the road, and unrolled. Tooker was orchestrating the entire thing. Within moments, the entire
street was covered, and hundreds of people were dancing on grass in the heart of Canada’s most powerful
financial district.
What I’m trying to illustrate is that Tooker was able to take any situation and make the best of it. He could
take a sad day, commemorating millions of deaths, and make it creative and fun and worthwhile. And he
could take a vibrant street a party and instantly transform it into something a hundreds times better.
Tooker seemed to be capable of anything, he seemed to defy laws of physics and time. He was like a
political version of Harry Houdini. He’d lock himself in a safe, and at the same time, he’d be stopping a
garbage dump in north Ontario, blocking a highway expansion in Toronto, burning his Canadian passport on
the other side of the world, being an incredible partner to Angela, a great friend to all of us… and running
for mayor too.
Everything he did was larger than life and that’s one of reasons I’m having trouble really accepting that he’s
gone. Because he seemed magical. Because he surprised me so often, that over time, he wasn’t able to
surprise me, because I expected to be surprised. Everytime I opened the paper, there he was. And if it was
anyone else’s picture there I would have thought ‘wow this I unbelievable!!’ But with Tooker, I expected it. I
expected him to push the limits, to be oblivious to things that we would see as obstacles, I expected him to
be magical. I woudn’t be surprised if he walked in the door right now, and as the doors flung open we’d see
Queen Street covered in grass, and cars sticking out of the ground in front of the church.
I also wasn’t convinced that there was only one Tooker. No one could do all that on their own. I figured
there must have been six or seven or them. So when I heard that Tooker had taken his last step, part of me
thought ‘that’s okay’, because there’s still five or six left.
But of course there’s only one Tooker. And none of us are larger than life. But life is what we make it. And
for those who say that his life was too short, I say yes of course, but I’m also thinking in my head, that he
lived a thousand times more, in his 48 years, than most people live in their lifetime.
Tooker believed in a better world. A world that was wasn’t based on hierarchy, competition and waste. He
believed in a world based on sharing, sustainability, love and community. He always believed in that world,
and never stopped believing in it. And we all share a responsibility now to continue to carry the torch as we
walk slowly towards that world together.
Lastly,and most importantly, and simply put; apart from the great activist and leader that he was, Tooker
was a beautiful loving friend who made everyone around feel good, and once it truly hits me that he’s not
coming back, I’m going to miss him a lot.
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:13 pm Post subject: Inside Ralph Klein's Vault, by Tooker Gomberg (plus
related Reply with quote
Inside Ralph Klein's Vault
[received by e-mail from Angela Bischoff]
Hello friends. This really is the LAST piece Tooker wrote,
but it was never completed. Although the action happened
more than a year ago, it's a story that he never did tell.
Here it is... - angela
Inside Ralph Klein's Vault
By Tooker Gomberg
Jan. 22, 2004
"Lock me in" I instruct Jerry, my friend and cameraman.
We wrestle with the heavy steel door. Jerry kicks out the
doorstop, and before I know what's happened, the door
clangs shut with a loud rumble. I gasp, look around me,
and wonder if the air will last. I jostle the handle, just to be
sure. There's no escape. I'm locked inside Ralph Klein's
vault.
It's Tues. Dec. 3, 2002, and I'm trying to rally support for
the Kyoto protocol, to protect the world's climate from
catastrophic disruption. Prime Minister Chretien says he'll
sign the accord by the end of the year. Premier Klein of
fossil fuel rich Alberta says, in essence: over my dead
body. I say I'm prepared to take a stand.
I'm thirsty. Perhaps it's the lack of air. The vault is the size
of a large walk-in closet, and is being used as a storage
room.
I discover a case of booze. Not surprising given Klein's
history of hard drinking. What shall it be -- wine, Ouzo,
or Champagne?
I break open the bubbly and savor a few sips. I'm ready to
celebrate. I toast Mother Earth.
I pull out my cell phone and list of Calgary media contacts
and methodically begin calling. "This is Tooker Gomberg
and I'm locked in Ralph Klein's vault."
One by one I tell them of the "Lost Doc", the 300 page
report written by the Alberta government in 1990. It
addressed the question: Could Alberta reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions? The conclusion was startling:
Alberta could not only reduce emissions by 7% (the Kyoto
Protocol only required a 6% reduction from Canada) but it
could do so at an enormous profit!
Klein and the Alberta Government were fear mongering.
They repeated the lie that Kyoto would destroy the
Canadian economy, with 450,000 jobs lost and increases
in taxes and gasoline prices.
But the Lost Document showed that Klein wasn't being
honest. Kyoto would actually be good for Alberta. With an
investment of $6.7 billion the government could realize
annual savings of $2.2 billion. That's a rate of return of
over 30%. Canada Savings Bonds will get you 4% if you're
lucky. The Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, a fund
that was supposed to put aside royalties from Alberta's oil
and gas industry for a rainy day, was actually losing
money. Why not invest in energy efficiency instead?
The implications were enormous. And it was a Made in
Alberta solution, prepared by the Alberta Government
itself. Klein apparently preferred a Made in Houston
solution -- good for the oil and gas industry, but bad for
the taxpayer, not to mention the planet.
Properly titled: A Discussion Paper on the Potential for
Reducing CO2 Emissions in Alberta, 1998-2005, I sensed
an opportunity, and an urgency. The Kyoto clock was
ticking. In order for the protocol to become international
law, 55 nations representing 55% of world greenhouse gas
emissions had to sign on. If Canada signed, all that would
be missing was Russia, and then it would reach the
benchmark. Without Canada the treaty would likely fall
apart.
The health of the world's climate was in the balance. I
hoped the media would be interested in adding some
substance to the debate, a new angle to the story they
kept repeating: Chretien for Kyoto, Klein against it.
I came to Edmonton from Toronto to spend two weeks
traveling Alberta, speaking about the benefits of Kyoto,
energy efficiency, wind turbines and solar panels. I
previewed a (nearly completed) film I had made called:
Kyoto Winds of Change, which explored the opportunities
of Kyoto. And I peddled the Lost Doc.
I called a news conference at the Alberta Legislature when
I delivered the Lost Document to Ralph Klein's office,
asking for a reply, asking why the recommendations had
never been implemented.
Media attendance was good, perhaps because as a former
Edmonton City Councillor I still had some profile. Security
guards barred us from venturing past the entrance.
Eventually a staff person came down to deliver the
document to the Premier.
With Chrétien's self imposed Kyoto deadline looming a
few weeks away, what did the media do with this
blockbuster?
They ignored it. They showed no interest in investigating
the claims of the report. They weren't interested in
contacting the authors to see if it was still relevant. The
story was but a blip on the news radar for a day. Then it
disappeared.
I was aghast. In my over twenty years in the environmental
movement, the Lost Document was bigger than anything I
had ever come across. And the timing was perfect to bring
it to light.
So I upped the ante. A few of us set up a vigil on the front
steps of the Alberta Legislature.
With our bikes and bicycle trailer, in minus 10 degree C
weather, we stood, and we slept, with our sleeping bags and
a solar panel on the landing to the Alberta Legislature.
As Members of the Legislative Assembly hurried between
government buildings, we distributed copies of the Lost
Document. We talked about the benefits and promise of
rooftop solar shingles to generate electricity without the
smog and the climate damage of burning fossil fuels.
We phoned the media trying to entice them to cover the
story. We challenged the Premier and MPs to debate.
We asked questions.
We froze our butts 24 hours a day for a full week with little
government or media interest. The Edmonton Journal did
an interview, and my mug made it to the front page of the
newspaper. But the Kyoto Now! sign I was holding was
cropped out, and I had one quote about the Grey Cup
football game that weekend. The fate of the earth was
trumped by pigskin.
The Kyoto Protocol was in serious limbo. In order to
become international law, Canada and Russia would have
to sign on. Given that climate change is arguably the most
important survival issue of our time, Ralph Klein and
Alberta were standing in the way of Canada signing on.
Eventually Canada did ratify the treaty, but at that point in
time it was far from clear if Chrétien would stay the course.
It was an epic struggle. On one side, the largest
corporations on the planet - the oil, gas and car industries
alongside Ralph Klein and the Government of Alberta. On
the other side the little guy from Shawinigan, intent on
signing Kyoto as part of his legacy as Prime Minister of
Canada, much of the Canadian public, and a little guy
from Montreal, former Edmonton City Councillor and
environmental activist.
I hit the road, preaching the benefits of Kyoto in Edmonton,
Edson, Rocky Mt. House, Calgary, and Lethbridge. But
didn't make a dent in the mantra we heard night after night
on the news -- that Kyoto would be dire for Alberta.
So what do you do when the earth is being terrorized, the
life support systems of the planet yanked out bit by bit by
powerful vested interests? What's a conscious, concerned
person to do?
When so much is as stake, isn't an informed person obliged
to act? To take a chance? To be bold? The great American
writer Henry David Thoreau wrote of the duty of civil
disobedience. He said that citizens should act on their
consciences, to do what's right even if it means breaking
the law. "Let your life be a friction to the machine" he said.
I decided to occupy Ralph Klein's Calgary office, to focus
attention on the promise of Kyoto, of how good it could be,
of how Klein was lying.
With Jerry rolling tape and a suitcase full of food and
water, we walked into Klein's Calgary Elbow constituency
office and spoke with Betty his assistant. I wanted a
response from the Premier about the Lost Document. She
said we should be patient. After a half hour discussion of
the benefits of wind power and the dangers of burning ever
increasing amounts of coal, oil and natural gas, she told us
we would have to leave.
"I'm not leaving" I said, until I received a response from
Klein. She called security. We scoped out the office, and
discovered the vault.
Once locked inside, I did a number of media interviews
before my cell phone went dead. To my delight there was
a fax machine in the vault, and it was working.
I looked around and found a sheet of Ralph Klein, Premier
letterhead. Pen in hand I jotted down that I was inside
Klein's vault to bring attention to the Lost Document which
proved that Kyoto would be good for Alberta. I included
the website address, and faxed away to my media list. I
even faxed the Premier at home for good measure.
Then the lights went out, so I faxed by the light of my
lighter. I heard noises from outside - they were trying to
open the vault. I knew my time was limited.
I spied a large Stars and Stripes. I wonder if it was a gift
from Klein's Houston oil buddies. Or perhaps ExxonMobil.
After an hour and a half I heard the lever moving. I grabbed
it, heaving my weight to prevent it from turning, and
suddenly, down it went.
A band of Calgary's finest SWAT team, uniformed to the
hilt, lunged at me, rifles perched, shouting at me to get on
the ground. Pouncing on me, they pinned me to the ground,
sliced off my knapsack, and yelled, all at once. "Relax", I
shouted back. "I'm trained in the art of civil disobedience.
I am a non-violent protester."
They gruffly handcuffed my hands behind my back, hoisted
me up, and walked me into the office. There awaited a
cadre of cops. One threw my winter coat over my head, like
a shamed criminal, and frog-marched me out of the office
into the public corridor.
The sound changed outside the office. I ducked my head
and the coat fell to the ground. "Why is Ralph Klein afraid
of the Lost Document?" I asked the TV cameras as the
police threw my coat back over my head, leading me away
to a waiting cruiser.
At the police station I'm stripped and all my belongings
taken away from me. I'm left with a t-shirt, pants (no belt)
underwear and socks, and left in a white cell, alone.
I pace the room, entertained by the graffiti on the walls.
Then my heart stops: there is a big swastika scraped from
the paint. It must be 2 feet square, the most obvious graffiti
in the cell.
As a Jew, and an anti-racist, this deeply offended me. I
stared at it, dumbfounded. I tried scraping the paint off
with my fingernail, but no luck.
I notice my pants have a brass button. I drop them, scrape
away the swastika's power by turning it into a square, and
put my pants back on.
A few hours later two burly cops come into my cell,
towering over me, close to me. One growls, "Take off
your shirt". So I take off my shirt.
"Take off your pants". Uh oh. What's coming now? Are
they going to humiliate me? Rape me? What?
"Take off my pants?" I ask, incredulous. "Take off your
pants" the cop bellows. I take off my pants, and throw
them on the ground.
"We're taking these as evidence. You damaged public
property" and they're off with my clothes.
After 26 hours I'm back on the streets.
My day in court is March 1-3, 2004. I have several charges
against me, including mischief - for interfering with the
operation of the office, and theft - for taking a small
Alberta flag, meant for constituents, worth no more than
a quarter (but not, interestingly, for cracking open the
champagne). And I've been charged for damaging public
property when I effaced the swastika.
I look forward to my day in court, when I can ask how long
the swastika had been there, and was the person who
scratched the swastika also charged with damage to public
property, and why hadn't it been removed?
But most importantly, I look forward to establishing the
seriousness of the climate crisis, and the need for
government actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We will get expert testimony on the contents and value of
the material in the Lost Document. And we'll argue that the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures our right of protest
and freedom of expression.
We'll argue that locking myself in Ralph Klein's vault was
a political act, in the long tradition of non-violent civil
disobedience, from Gandhi's salt march in India to Rosa
Parks refusing to go to the back of the bus in Montgomery
Alabama.
We have a right, and a duty, to protest when horrible things
are being done by our governments. That is a cornerstone
of democracy. Without political pressure, things rarely
change. But with letters and petitions, articles and rallies,
sit ins and occupations, the message can get through to
government to act.
Around the world the coral reefs are dying off due to
warmer ocean temperatures. The polar bears are in trouble
due to warmer water and less ice to fish from. 20,000
people died in Europe in the summer of 2003 due to
extreme heat, exactly the sort of weather one would expect
in a climate changed world. Alberta has been suffering
through the worst droughts in its history, and serious
concerns are being raised about dramatically shrinking
water resources.
The world's climate scientists say that we need to reduce
our greenhouse gas emissions by 60-80%. Kyoto is just a
tiny first step. With public involvement and pressure on
politicians, perhaps Canada can begin moving.
The Lost Doc shows that Kyoto is not bitter medicine, but
actually an opportunity disguised as a problem. When we
realize that we can save money, create employment and
protect the environment through Lost Doc-type initiatives,
a huge new potential is unleashed. The power to change.
(closing paragraph about the power of individuals to make
a difference, to stand up and be counted)
-30For more information:
Angela Bischoff
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
E-mail: greenspi@web.ca
Web: www.greenspiration.org
-<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Stories of ecology and activism,
including short, inspiring green films:
http://www.greenspiration.org
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Join our email list by emailing us:
greenspiration@web.ca
Write "subscribe" in the subject line
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Last edited by Peter Blanchard on Wed Apr 07, 2004 9:01 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:17 pm Post subject: RELATED LINKS, ORGANIZATIONS, RESOURCES: Reply
with quote
RELATED LINKS, ORGANIZATIONS, RESOURCES:
Tooker & Angela on Climate Change
http://www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.greenspiration.org+%22climate+change%22
Tooker & Angela on Kyoto
http://www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.greenspiration.org+kyoto
Tooker & Angela on Renewable Energy
http://www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.greenspiration.org+renewable
Energy Links, Organizations, Resources, Renewables...
http://www.planetfriendly.net/energy.html
Executive Summary of the Lost Document
http://people.uleth.ca/~hall/
http://people.uleth.ca/~hall/sp_Paper_nbsp_on_nbsp_the_nbsp_Potential_nbsp_For_nbsp_Reducing_nbs
p_Carbon_nbsp_Dioxide_nbsp_Emissions_nbsp_in_nbsp_Alberta_nbsp__nbsp_Executive_nbsp_Summary.pdf
The Lost Document -- Corporate Media's spin...
http://www.cp.org/premium/ONLINE/member/National/021203/n1203125A.html
Being an Activist, Changing the World
By Tooker & Angela: www.greenspiration.org/Article/TenCommandments.html
By Elizabeth May: www.sierraclub.ca/national/activist.html
More: http://dmoz.org/Society/Activism/
Nonviolent Civil Resistance & Protest
http://dmoz.org/Society/Activism/Nonviolence/
http://www.pbs.org/weta/forcemorepowerful/
Become the Media, Alternative & Mainstream Media Guide
http://www.planetfriendly.net/voices.html
"There has never been an objective news story written,
even if it was only one paragraph. And that is because
of selection: somebody selected what's in that article
-- and what is *not*". - Barrie Zwicker
http://www.sources.com/listings/subscribers/L1672.htm
"Objectivity in journalism is advocacy for the status quo".
- Tom Wicker, former writer for the New York Times
– Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
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Peter Blanchard
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Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 1:48 pm Post subject: TOOKER'S WRITINGS, NEWS, LINKS, pictures,
community... Reply with quote
Tooker's Writings, Links, News, Discussion, Community
Tooker's Writings & Related Links
Greenspiration - Tooker & Angela's "around-the-world
odyssey documenting and sharing inspiring ecological stories"
www.greenspiration.org
Tooker & Angela's Greenspiration E-mail List:
Archives for the Toronto-based list:
http://list.web.ca/archives/greenspirationto-l/
INSIDE RALPH KLEIN'S VAULT
Tooker's last article (plus links, organizations, resources)
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=185
(written January 2004, released posthumously, April 2004)
EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE
Tooker's last "Stir It Up" column for Alternatives Journal
www.alternativesjournal.ca/special/tooker.htm
Green, Sustainable Transportation links, organizations, public transit...
www.planetfriendly.net/living.html#transport
Tooker Gomberg - Writings and Links
www.greenspiration.org
www.google.com/search?q=%22tooker+gomberg%22
http://news.google.com/news?q=%22tooker+gomberg%22
Tooker's writings and news in Now and Eye Magazine
www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.nowtoronto.com+%22tooker+gomberg%22
www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.eye.net+%22tooker+gomberg%22
Discussion, Announcements & Community-Building
Tooker Gomberg - Online Discussion Forum & Announcements
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg or www.planetfriendly.net/tooker
Another discussion thread on Tooker, this one hosted by Rabble.ca
www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=005761
Being an Activist, Changing the World
By Tooker & Angela: www.greenspiration.org/Article/TenCommandments.html
By Elizabeth May: www.sierraclub.ca/national/activist.html
More: http://dmoz.org/Society/Activism/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Activism/
www.planetfriendly.net/enviro.html
Tribute Articles
From progressive/alternative sources:
Artistry in Activism – by Loic Jounot, Now, Mar 11
www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2004-03-11/news_story3.php
"he was the grain of sand that stopped the machine"
What Tooker Taught Us – Editorial, Eye Weekly, Mar 11
www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_03.11.04/op/editorial.html
"most astonishing of all, he managed to get things done"
Farewell, Tooker – by Wayne Roberts, Now, Mar 11
www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2004-03-11/news_story2.php
"master stuntman, writer and policy wonk was greenspiration to us all"
Many more excellent tributes and reflections can be found on the discussion forum:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=19
From mainstream sources:
An Activist Life Eclipsed, by Jill Mahoney, Globe & Mail, Mar 16, pg. R7
www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040316/OBTOOK16/
"A mischievous political radical"
News of Tooker's Passing
Announcement sent to Planet-Friendly list:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=55
Globe & Mail - Tooker Gomberg presumed dead: full story
Indymedia Victoria - Tooker Gomberg (includes pictures)
http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2004/03/22791_comment.php
More Related News...
http://news.google.com/news?q=%22tooker+gomberg%22
Other Related Thoughts & Writings
Caring too much, caring too little, by Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=82
www.abbeyweb.net/quotes.htx?query=paragraph&op=search
www.planetfriendly.net/health.html#stress
Creating Stronger Community -- Links, Resources, Discussion
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
"Take care of yourself and each other" - Tooker Gomberg
(Compiled by Peter Blanchard www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg
people@planetfriendly.net )
Last edited by Peter Blanchard on Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:27 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Peter Blanchard
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Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:05 pm Post subject: Inside Ralph Klein's Vault
[received by e-mail from Angela Bischoff]
Hello friends. This really is the LAST piece Tooker wrote,
but it was never completed. Although the action happened
more than a year ago, it's a story that he never did tell.
Here it is... - angela
Inside Ralph Klein's Vault
By Tooker Gomberg
Jan. 22, 2004
"Lock me in" I instruct Jerry, my friend and cameraman.
We wrestle with the heavy steel door. Jerry kicks out the
doorstop, and before I know what's happened, the door
clangs shut with a loud rumble. I gasp, look around me,
and wonder if the air will last. I jostle the handle, just to be
sure. There's no escape. I'm locked inside Ralph Klein's
vault.
It's Tues. Dec. 3, 2002, and I'm trying to rally support for
Reply with quote
the Kyoto protocol, to protect the world's climate from
catastrophic disruption. Prime Minister Chretien says he'll
sign the accord by the end of the year. Premier Klein of
fossil fuel rich Alberta says, in essence: over my dead
body. I say I'm prepared to take a stand.
I'm thirsty. Perhaps it's the lack of air. The vault is the size
of a large walk-in closet, and is being used as a storage
room.
I discover a case of booze. Not surprising given Klein's
history of hard drinking. What shall it be -- wine, Ouzo,
or Champagne?
I break open the bubbly and savor a few sips. I'm ready to
celebrate. I toast Mother Earth.
I pull out my cell phone and list of Calgary media contacts
and methodically begin calling. "This is Tooker Gomberg
and I'm locked in Ralph Klein's vault."
One by one I tell them of the "Lost Doc", the 300 page
report written by the Alberta government in 1990. It
addressed the question: Could Alberta reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions? The conclusion was startling:
Alberta could not only reduce emissions by 7% (the Kyoto
Protocol only required a 6% reduction from Canada) but it
could do so at an enormous profit!
Klein and the Alberta Government were fear mongering.
They repeated the lie that Kyoto would destroy the
Canadian economy, with 450,000 jobs lost and increases
in taxes and gasoline prices.
But the Lost Document showed that Klein wasn't being
honest. Kyoto would actually be good for Alberta. With an
investment of $6.7 billion the government could realize
annual savings of $2.2 billion. That's a rate of return of
over 30%. Canada Savings Bonds will get you 4% if you're
lucky. The Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, a fund
that was supposed to put aside royalties from Alberta's oil
and gas industry for a rainy day, was actually losing
money. Why not invest in energy efficiency instead?
The implications were enormous. And it was a Made in
Alberta solution, prepared by the Alberta Government
itself. Klein apparently preferred a Made in Houston
solution -- good for the oil and gas industry, but bad for
the taxpayer, not to mention the planet.
Properly titled: A Discussion Paper on the Potential for
Reducing CO2 Emissions in Alberta, 1998-2005, I sensed
an opportunity, and an urgency. The Kyoto clock was
ticking. In order for the protocol to become international
law, 55 nations representing 55% of world greenhouse gas
emissions had to sign on. If Canada signed, all that would
be missing was Russia, and then it would reach the
benchmark. Without Canada the treaty would likely fall
apart.
The health of the world's climate was in the balance. I
hoped the media would be interested in adding some
substance to the debate, a new angle to the story they
kept repeating: Chretien for Kyoto, Klein against it.
I came to Edmonton from Toronto to spend two weeks
traveling Alberta, speaking about the benefits of Kyoto,
energy efficiency, wind turbines and solar panels. I
previewed a (nearly completed) film I had made called:
Kyoto Winds of Change, which explored the opportunities
of Kyoto. And I peddled the Lost Doc.
I called a news conference at the Alberta Legislature when
I delivered the Lost Document to Ralph Klein's office,
asking for a reply, asking why the recommendations had
never been implemented.
Media attendance was good, perhaps because as a former
Edmonton City Councillor I still had some profile. Security
guards barred us from venturing past the entrance.
Eventually a staff person came down to deliver the
document to the Premier.
With Chrétien's self imposed Kyoto deadline looming a
few weeks away, what did the media do with this
blockbuster?
They ignored it. They showed no interest in investigating
the claims of the report. They weren't interested in
contacting the authors to see if it was still relevant. The
story was but a blip on the news radar for a day. Then it
disappeared.
I was aghast. In my over twenty years in the environmental
movement, the Lost Document was bigger than anything I
had ever come across. And the timing was perfect to bring
it to light.
So I upped the ante. A few of us set up a vigil on the front
steps of the Alberta Legislature.
With our bikes and bicycle trailer, in minus 10 degree C
weather, we stood, and we slept, with our sleeping bags and
a solar panel on the landing to the Alberta Legislature.
As Members of the Legislative Assembly hurried between
government buildings, we distributed copies of the Lost
Document. We talked about the benefits and promise of
rooftop solar shingles to generate electricity without the
smog and the climate damage of burning fossil fuels.
We phoned the media trying to entice them to cover the
story. We challenged the Premier and MPs to debate.
We asked questions.
We froze our butts 24 hours a day for a full week with little
government or media interest. The Edmonton Journal did
an interview, and my mug made it to the front page of the
newspaper. But the Kyoto Now! sign I was holding was
cropped out, and I had one quote about the Grey Cup
football game that weekend. The fate of the earth was
trumped by pigskin.
The Kyoto Protocol was in serious limbo. In order to
become international law, Canada and Russia would have
to sign on. Given that climate change is arguably the most
important survival issue of our time, Ralph Klein and
Alberta were standing in the way of Canada signing on.
Eventually Canada did ratify the treaty, but at that point in
time it was far from clear if Chrétien would stay the course.
It was an epic struggle. On one side, the largest
corporations on the planet - the oil, gas and car industries
alongside Ralph Klein and the Government of Alberta. On
the other side the little guy from Shawinigan, intent on
signing Kyoto as part of his legacy as Prime Minister of
Canada, much of the Canadian public, and a little guy
from Montreal, former Edmonton City Councillor and
environmental activist.
I hit the road, preaching the benefits of Kyoto in Edmonton,
Edson, Rocky Mt. House, Calgary, and Lethbridge. But
didn't make a dent in the mantra we heard night after night
on the news -- that Kyoto would be dire for Alberta.
So what do you do when the earth is being terrorized, the
life support systems of the planet yanked out bit by bit by
powerful vested interests? What's a conscious, concerned
person to do?
When so much is as stake, isn't an informed person obliged
to act? To take a chance? To be bold? The great American
writer Henry David Thoreau wrote of the duty of civil
disobedience. He said that citizens should act on their
consciences, to do what's right even if it means breaking
the law. "Let your life be a friction to the machine" he said.
I decided to occupy Ralph Klein's Calgary office, to focus
attention on the promise of Kyoto, of how good it could be,
of how Klein was lying.
With Jerry rolling tape and a suitcase full of food and
water, we walked into Klein's Calgary Elbow constituency
office and spoke with Betty his assistant. I wanted a
response from the Premier about the Lost Document. She
said we should be patient. After a half hour discussion of
the benefits of wind power and the dangers of burning ever
increasing amounts of coal, oil and natural gas, she told us
we would have to leave.
"I'm not leaving" I said, until I received a response from
Klein. She called security. We scoped out the office, and
discovered the vault.
Once locked inside, I did a number of media interviews
before my cell phone went dead. To my delight there was
a fax machine in the vault, and it was working.
I looked around and found a sheet of Ralph Klein, Premier
letterhead. Pen in hand I jotted down that I was inside
Klein's vault to bring attention to the Lost Document which
proved that Kyoto would be good for Alberta. I included
the website address, and faxed away to my media list. I
even faxed the Premier at home for good measure.
Then the lights went out, so I faxed by the light of my
lighter. I heard noises from outside - they were trying to
open the vault. I knew my time was limited.
I spied a large Stars and Stripes. I wonder if it was a gift
from Klein's Houston oil buddies. Or perhaps ExxonMobil.
After an hour and a half I heard the lever moving. I grabbed
it, heaving my weight to prevent it from turning, and
suddenly, down it went.
A band of Calgary's finest SWAT team, uniformed to the
hilt, lunged at me, rifles perched, shouting at me to get on
the ground. Pouncing on me, they pinned me to the ground,
sliced off my knapsack, and yelled, all at once. "Relax", I
shouted back. "I'm trained in the art of civil disobedience.
I am a non-violent protester."
They gruffly handcuffed my hands behind my back, hoisted
me up, and walked me into the office. There awaited a
cadre of cops. One threw my winter coat over my head, like
a shamed criminal, and frog-marched me out of the office
into the public corridor.
The sound changed outside the office. I ducked my head
and the coat fell to the ground. "Why is Ralph Klein afraid
of the Lost Document?" I asked the TV cameras as the
police threw my coat back over my head, leading me away
to a waiting cruiser.
At the police station I'm stripped and all my belongings
taken away from me. I'm left with a t-shirt, pants (no belt)
underwear and socks, and left in a white cell, alone.
I pace the room, entertained by the graffiti on the walls.
Then my heart stops: there is a big swastika scraped from
the paint. It must be 2 feet square, the most obvious graffiti
in the cell.
As a Jew, and an anti-racist, this deeply offended me. I
stared at it, dumbfounded. I tried scraping the paint off
with my fingernail, but no luck.
I notice my pants have a brass button. I drop them, scrape
away the swastika's power by turning it into a square, and
put my pants back on.
A few hours later two burly cops come into my cell,
towering over me, close to me. One growls, "Take off
your shirt". So I take off my shirt.
"Take off your pants". Uh oh. What's coming now? Are
they going to humiliate me? Rape me? What?
"Take off my pants?" I ask, incredulous. "Take off your
pants" the cop bellows. I take off my pants, and throw
them on the ground.
"We're taking these as evidence. You damaged public
property" and they're off with my clothes.
After 26 hours I'm back on the streets.
My day in court is March 1-3, 2004. I have several charges
against me, including mischief - for interfering with the
operation of the office, and theft - for taking a small
Alberta flag, meant for constituents, worth no more than
a quarter (but not, interestingly, for cracking open the
champagne). And I've been charged for damaging public
property when I effaced the swastika.
I look forward to my day in court, when I can ask how long
the swastika had been there, and was the person who
scratched the swastika also charged with damage to public
property, and why hadn't it been removed?
But most importantly, I look forward to establishing the
seriousness of the climate crisis, and the need for
government actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We will get expert testimony on the contents and value of
the material in the Lost Document. And we'll argue that the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures our right of protest
and freedom of expression.
We'll argue that locking myself in Ralph Klein's vault was
a political act, in the long tradition of non-violent civil
disobedience, from Gandhi's salt march in India to Rosa
Parks refusing to go to the back of the bus in Montgomery
Alabama.
We have a right, and a duty, to protest when horrible things
are being done by our governments. That is a cornerstone
of democracy. Without political pressure, things rarely
change. But with letters and petitions, articles and rallies,
sit ins and occupations, the message can get through to
government to act.
Around the world the coral reefs are dying off due to
warmer ocean temperatures. The polar bears are in trouble
due to warmer water and less ice to fish from. 20,000
people died in Europe in the summer of 2003 due to
extreme heat, exactly the sort of weather one would expect
in a climate changed world. Alberta has been suffering
through the worst droughts in its history, and serious
concerns are being raised about dramatically shrinking
water resources.
The world's climate scientists say that we need to reduce
our greenhouse gas emissions by 60-80%. Kyoto is just a
tiny first step. With public involvement and pressure on
politicians, perhaps Canada can begin moving.
The Lost Doc shows that Kyoto is not bitter medicine, but
actually an opportunity disguised as a problem. When we
realize that we can save money, create employment and
protect the environment through Lost Doc-type initiatives,
a huge new potential is unleashed. The power to change.
(closing paragraph about the power of individuals to make
a difference, to stand up and be counted)
-30For more information:
Angela Bischoff
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
E-mail: greenspi@web.ca
Web: www.greenspiration.org
-<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Stories of ecology and activism,
including short, inspiring green films:
http://www.greenspiration.org
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Join our email list by emailing us:
greenspiration@web.ca
Write "subscribe" in the subject line
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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Peter Blanchard
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Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:11 pm Post subject: RELATED LINKS, ORGANIZATIONS, RESOURCES: Reply
with quote
RELATED LINKS, ORGANIZATIONS, RESOURCES:
Tooker & Angela on Climate Change
http://www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.greenspiration.org+%22climate+change%22
Tooker & Angela on Kyoto
http://www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.greenspiration.org+kyoto
Tooker & Angela on Renewable Energy
http://www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.greenspiration.org+renewable
Energy Links, Organizations, Resources, Renewables...
http://www.planetfriendly.net/energy.html
Executive Summary of the Lost Document
http://people.uleth.ca/~hall/
http://people.uleth.ca/~hall/sp_Paper_nbsp_on_nbsp_the_nbsp_Potential_nbsp_For_nbsp_Reducing_nbs
p_Carbon_nbsp_Dioxide_nbsp_Emissions_nbsp_in_nbsp_Alberta_nbsp__nbsp_Executive_nbsp_Summary.pdf
The Lost Document -- Corporate Media's spin...
http://www.cp.org/premium/ONLINE/member/National/021203/n1203125A.html
Being an Activist, Changing the World
By Tooker & Angela: www.greenspiration.org/Article/TenCommandments.html
By Elizabeth May: www.sierraclub.ca/national/activist.html
More: http://dmoz.org/Society/Activism/
Nonviolent Civil Resistance & Protest
http://dmoz.org/Society/Activism/Nonviolence/
http://www.pbs.org/weta/forcemorepowerful/
Become the Media, Alternative & Mainstream Media Guide
http://www.planetfriendly.net/voices.html
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admin
Site Admin
Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Posts: 8
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject: to Tooker from Amanda
[posted on behalf of Amanda Dainow]
Reply with quote
Letter to the Editor, Chronicle-Herald Halifax
To the Editor,
I am shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of Tooker Gomberg. He has been one of my greatest
inspirations in the fight for environmentalism and social justice. I admired him from afar for several years,
and finally had the true honour of knowing him personally. He was not only a com/passionate and brilliant
activist, he was a genuinely kind, honest, helpful and deeply caring person. He and his partner Angela were
awesome together.
Tooker really will be missed, by those who knew him and by environmental/social justice communities. I
never apologize for the loss of someone, but in this case, I am very sorry – for those who had yet to know
him, and for the policies and minds he had yet to influence.
As it pours rain outside, it seems as if the Earth is mourning the loss of one of her finest defenders. Seeing
and hearing about the plethora of extremely creative initiatives Tooker had organized, and reading the
multitude of articles he had written, across a range of topics, continues to inspire me to this day, and
whenever I seek inspiration, I think of the many significant contributions he has made, across the country
and abroad.
– Amanda Dainow
A personal letter I wrote and meant to give to Tooker:
Dear Tooker,
I just wanted to let you know that though you have no way of knowing it, you have been an immeasurable
inspiration to me.
I first became aware of you and your activism during the public meetings for the proposed Adams Mine in
Ontario. I remember reading the green mayoral leaflet you had published, with your picture at the top, and
the issues you were addressing, checked off on the side. I read it enthusiastically, then took it home and
presented it to my dad, at the time, the only voter in the house, attempting to convince him to vote for you
as mayor, explaining that you were a real novelty – someone who was really passionate about the
environment, and someone who I knew would make Toronto and Ontario better places, to live and to have
a future. I think I somehow convinced him.
I remember you biking around the city and handing out these flyers, getting to know people and discussing
the issues, as always, in the process. I thought you were so awesome that when the Student Environment
Network (SEN) was discussing keynote speakers for our high school environmental conference, I insisted
that we have you as one, and everyone agreed. Of course, politics became a bit of an issue, and it was
discussed whether we should have Eleanor, our staff mentor and board rep, introduce you, or one of us
students. Because I was so set on having you speak, everyone agreed that I should introduce you, and,
needless to say, I was really excited.
When you gave your speech to the 200 plus high school students and staff at the conference, the entire
auditorium was blown away. Even those who had been falling asleep woke up and were called to action. I
was also lucky (and determined) enough to monitor your workshop, which of course had the same effect.
Everyone in the room could feel the energy radiating from you as you spoke about the many innovative
projects you had done, across the country, and there wasn't one student who wasn't inspired.
After meeting you in person, seeing your slides, and hearing you describe your many enthralling
adventures, I was compelled to become even and ever more active environmentally. I resolved to do
whatever I could, no matter how small, to help the planet, and help the people of Earth understand and get
involved. I was so impressed by your presence, I wanted to invite you to speak at my high school's Earth
Week assembly, but unfortunately you were unable to. I checked and received updates from
greenspiration, and was really impressed with the site and the continuity of your efforts. I knew that you
and Angela must be a fantastic team, to do so many amazing things and so much outreach to defend the
planet.
You may not remember these events, and it is totally understandable, having experienced so incredibly
much, and having met so very many people in so many places as you have. I just thought you should know.
It's probably just me being silly, but it is a little intimidating to speak to someone so incredibly
knowledgeable and talented as yourself. You are such a compelling speaker, a passionate politician (which
has become an oxy-moron in this society), a sharp writer, a powerful environmental/social activist and a
compassionate person. You have bravery the likes of which Canada has never seen, and I really admire how
you apply your knowledge and know-how creatively, appropriately and intelligently. Your actions are eyecatching, original and direct, and your articles are very poignantly and intelligently written. You live a very
simple life, while dealing with the most complex issues, and make them accessible and appealing to the
public. I really appreciate the fact that you live exactly the way that you speak of; you are totally honest and
genuine, showing that the personal is political; there could only ever be one Tooker Gomberg.
I was happily surprised and overwhelmed when I heard that Angela had been hired as the TRAX coordinator
at the EAC, and that you were both living and working here. I felt as if somehow fate had brought us all
together, to join forces to fight for the planet. I had wanted to know you better personally and assist you in
any campaigns or events you were spearheading in Toronto, but I guess it just didn't happen – maybe it
wasn't the right time.
I hoped that this was my second, real chance to have the privilege of working with you, and getting to know
you. I was already getting a bit involved with the EAC, and then I met you both at various events. I brought
my partner along, and we had the joyful and educational experiences of participating in the Car Free Day
space demo and Critical Masses. It was really exciting for me to try out the space frames you had described
to us at the SEN conference, one of the many ingenious patented Tooker Gomberg creations.
Your ideas amaze me: they are absolutely accessible, fun, effective, attractive and completely your own. We
are always eager to read any of the many consistent articles you write, on a variety of topics, for a variety of
causes and publications. You are so versatile, with such an extensive background knowledge, and such an
immense amount of life experience – that's why I feel intimidated, though it has nothing to do with you
personally – you have always been very kind, generous and helpful to me. I will never forget how you
helped me fix my kick stand in the EAC after a freezing protest against seismic testing; I felt so honoured to
have THE Tooker Gomberg help me fix my bike!
I love your collaborative films with Uberculture; your large film repertoire is, of course, also really
impressive. Your talents and knowledge never end. The saddest and most aggravating thing is when
activists tire of being active, and distance themselves from the issues, fading into ignorance, and virtually
giving up, becoming comfortable and complacent. I really admire you for not giving in, or giving up,
continuously fighting for the future, and not sacrificing care for comfort. You are entirely true to your word,
and that is a real, extremely rare virtue.
You work around the clock and around the country, doing more in a day than most people do in their lives.
Your energy and efforts amaze me, and you always have several projects on the go. You have won many
victories for the environment, and are, as you should be, a nationally-celebrated environmental defender.
You make witty, radical but entirely plausible suggestions and use theatre and humour to poke fun at silly
laws and politics, while calling attention to very important issues which are otherwise ignored. You and
Angela are the best team anyone could put together. I know that you help her out constantly, which she
appreciates, and so do I and the others at the EAC and in the environmental community. You add so much
substance and life to everything you do, whether it's something you're participating in, like TRAX, or
something you're organizing, like a couch demo or a city-wide compost program. You always make me feel
welcome, saying hi or offering me snacks (I'm sorry I wrote so much about myself in this letter.)
You inspired me throughout my high school years, and continue to inspire me years later, several provinces
over. I am so grateful that I have had the chance to learn about you and the issues you have been raising,
and advocating so hard for, and that I have a second chance, to get to know you as a person as well. You are
the best activist in Canada, putting yourself out there and on the line all the time, never stopping, stepping
back or stepping down. I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate what you have done for me, for the
people of Canada and the world, and for the Earth. You have shown the power of one person, or a small
group of citizens, making change, encouraging others, myself included, to fight for what is right and what
we believe in. In my eyes, you are a national hero, a true revolutionary, and Canada's most effective
spokesperson for the future. I'd be more than happy to help you with any future projects.
Sincerely,
Amanda Dainow.
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 11:47 pm Post subject: Tooker's last column: Every Breath You Take (plus
links and
Reply with quote
Tooker's last column
Stir It Up column / Tooker Gomberg
Every Breath You Take
I remember when people used to blow toxic fumes into my lungs while I waited in line at the bank or the
cinema.
Now smokers are banned from most public indoor spaces, treated like pariahs and forced outside to burn
their du Mauriers. Cigarette packages display graphic pictures of diseased lungs and warnings of the
dangers of tobacco smoke. Advertising is banned. And voila – the quality of indoor air is dramatically
improved.
The air outside is another story. Every breath you take is laced with a cocktail of toxic gases and poisonous
particles delivered to you by the largest corporations on Earth: the oil and the car corporations.
When the horizon turns orange and smog gets in your eyes, all those tailpipes are largely to blame. Noxious
car fumes are especially damaging to the lungs of those most vulnerable: the young and the elderly.
Everyone knows someone suffering from asthma – one in ten Canadians has the disease, and the rate is
even higher among children.
The costs of all this automobile use are enormous. One report concluded that the costs of car crashes in
Alberta alone topped three billion dollars annually. That’s approximately $1000 per person. Add to that
another ten billion dollars spent annually in Canada for roads, highways and parking lots. Subtract 250,000
people around the world who die annually in car crashes – and that doesn’t include those killed or maimed
by smog. The sum total: a huge and preventable carnage.
Let’s borrow a few tools from the anti-smoking toolkit and push for a major reduction in toxic tailpipe
emissions from our overuse of cars. Here are some ideas to get started.
Warning labels. Every car sold in Canada should have a warning label affixed to its bumper. Possible slogans:
Cars are the greatest killer of kids in Canada. The more you drive the greater the risks of climate
catastrophe. Get healthy. Ride a bike, or walk. Thank you for not smogging. Improve your carma. Stop
driving.
“Kick the Car Habit” information should be included with every car sold, every licence issued, every driving
lesson. Autoholics Anonymous chapters should be set up in cities and towns across the land and a toll-free
number could offer help to those who want to break their car driving addiction and save money by driving
less.
Ban car ads. New drivers are seduced through slick, expensive and sophisticated advertising campaigns. Car
ads should be prohibited because driving is a dangerous activity, killing around 3000 Canadians annually in
crashes alone, not including those who lose their lives or are sickened from air pollution. The federal
government estimates that every year 16,000 Canadians die prematurely from dirty air.
Get the car off welfare. Gasoline and diesel fuel taxes should be increased to more accurately account for
their true social costs. One study, called “The Real Price of Gasoline,” concludes that if you included the full
costs of burning gasoline, such as increased health care costs, damage to the environment, buildings and
agricultural crops, time wasted due to congestion and so on, then gasoline would actually cost between
$1.88 and $5.09 a litre. Most of these costs are hidden, borne by everyone in society, even those that don’t
drive.
As levels of driving go down so too will asthma rates and, as people get more exercise from walking and
cycling, levels of obesity will also be reduced. This will bring substantial savings in health care costs, not to
mention increased quality of life.
Twenty years ago, smoking in public was commonplace. Let’s hope that in 20 years cheap gas and
thoughtless driving will be artefacts of the past.
Tooker Gomberg www.greenspiration.org walks, bikes and rides the ferry around Halifax.
Follow up
Find the calculations that went into determining the “real price of gas” at the International Center for
Technology Assessment: www.icta.org/projects/trans/
More research on the costs of car culture can be found at the Victoria Transport Policy Institute:
www.vtpi.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The above article can also be found here: www.alternativesjournal.ca/special/tooker.htm
Also see Tooker & Angela's website: www.greenspiration.org
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Peter Blanchard
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Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 10:23 am Post subject: green, healthy, alternative transportation, true cost
of car Reply with quote
The True Costs of Owning a Car
I want to highlight that right now – even from a purely
selfish, individual point of view – it often does not make
sense to own a car. We need to reconsider the many
personal costs and compromises.
Did you know that the true "effective speed" of a car
– when you take into account all the time you spend
paying for it, maintaining it, etc. – ranges from five
to fifteen m.p.h. (highway)?
This is from "Auto Costs Versus Bike Costs", an excellent
article on the real, personal costs of car ownership. Whether
or not cycling is an option for you, this is an important and
useful article. Don't miss the table of "Net Effective
Automobile Speed", about two thirds of the way down.
www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/advocacy/autocost.htm
To some degree many of us are trapped by poor urban design,
limited public transport, and lifestyle choices we already
have made.
Yet a creative combination of other available options can
often be healthier, less expensive, and overall faster than
owning a car. These include: public transit; cycling; walking;
telecommuting; car sharing; ride sharing; carpooling; renting;
trying to live near where you work or near a major public transit
route; and/or self-employment. Other choices include progressive
career, social and lifestyle decisions that don't force you into
car dependency and a rat-race lifestyle.
For more information, car-free resources, and links to others
who are working on this issue:
Car-Free Living
www.dmoz.org/Society/Lifestyle_Choices/Car_Free/
Green, Healthy & Sustainable Transportation
www.planetfriendly.net/living.html#transport
Sustainable Living Links
www.planetfriendly.net/living.html
Progressive Urban Planning
www.planetfriendly.net/dontpave.html
Groups and Organizations in Ontario (and Canada-wide)
Air Pollution & Climate Change Groups & Organizations
Transportation Groups & Organizations
I currently live in suburbia, own a small car, and am trying to
decide whether to sell it. Of course each of us has a unique
personal situation. But it strikes me that the most difficult part
is that I've become used to the *feeling* of having a car. To
some degree, I've forgotten how to live without one. And I
block out the costs, which for me are mostly in the form
of depreciation, VISA and auto-debit. My car *feels* like
a security blanket, even though in balance, it's anything but.
Keeping it could tip the balance and force me to accept
mainstream, corporate work, rather than continuing to
pursue the social and environmental work I love.
Add to the above the health, safety, social, energy and
environmental aspects of automobile use and the scale
tips even more in favour of the alternatives.
Maybe some of us will take the leap this spring?
– Peter Blanchard
Kingston and Toronto, Ontario
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 11:25 pm Post subject: Goodbye Tooker – and thanks (From Alternatives
Journal)
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Goodbye Tooker – and thanks (From Alternatives Journal)
Alternatives remembers our long-time friend and columnist, Tooker Gomberg, who died March 3, 2004, in
Halifax. He had been suffering from depression.
By Greg Michalenko
No one could match Tooker Gomberg’s uncanny ability to instantly invent a memorable political protest,
whether goofy or sublime.
A few weeks ago I noticed that someone had put a love seat in an enclosed bus shelter on the main street of
Waterloo. The next time I came past, an older bus patron was leaning back on the love seat, boots neatly
laid to the side, feet up and arms crossed behind his head. I immediately thought of one of Tooker’s most
famous spontaneous actions -- the time when he and his partner Angela Bischoff spotted a love seat put out
in the garbage on Rue St. Denis in Montreal. Within minutes the sofa was on the street and Tooker and
Angela were hard at work relaxing on it, having a pleasurable afternoon conversing with passersby about
the need to reclaim streets for people rather than automobiles. Finally Tooker was given a citation for
“couch in street” and was treated to another of his numerous -- but productive -- short stays in jail. Tooker
himself labelled it, “probably the most subversive thing I’ve ever done.”
Of course I told the Waterloo bus patron all about this wonderful man called Tooker Gomberg and the now
famous incident of couch in street. I remember him chuckling in appreciation and asking me to send along
his greetings when I next saw Tooker.
Tooker once said of his current activities, “we’re cross-pollinating like bees.” Certainly many of his projects
have gone to flowers, and often abundantly.
From 1992 to1995 Tooker was a city councillor in Edmonton. His presence there was demanding, and often
unappreciated or even resented by the more conventional councillors. But when his death was announced
in Edmonton, the tributes came pouring in, as they have from all over Canada. The present mayor admitted
“there were a lot of things I was not in agreement with Tooker on but I admired him for his grit.”
“He was a visionary in every sense of the word. He provoked people to thought — what a dangerous
radical,” said Grey Jones, who shared an office with Gomberg when Tooker was with EcoCity, “the passing
of Tooker Gomberg is a passing of innocence in this province. If people could get over his small size and
sometimes abrasive nature, they would have seen a sparkling intellect.” Brian Mason, an Alberta NDP
member of the legislature, said, “Nobody walked the talk like he did. He really tried to be an example of
what he thought we had to be.”
Municipal politicians in Edmonton now admit that this unconventional councillor, who fed pieces of
neckties to his office vermicomposter rather than wear them to council, can be credited for saving the city
“hundreds of millions of dollars” when he tenaciously fought for water conservation over the expansion of a
water treatment plant. They concede that the now operational BusLink 24-hour computerized information
line he proposed was not impossible after all.
Gomberg and Bischoff left Edmonton for a two-year bike journey around the world, their wonderful
“Greenspiration Odyssey” that sparked their popular Web site www.greenspiration.org/. After that the pair
of “velorutionaries” spent time in Montreal, Edmonton, rural Alberta, Toronto, rural Ontario and Halifax
starting or assisting in a fabulous variety of environmental and social justice causes, often with an
international focus.
In January 2000, Tooker and Angela were joint environmentalists-in-residence at the Department of
Environment and Resource Studies at the University of Waterloo. Tooker was a great hit with the students
and, despite wearing only a rather dumpy suit and light shoes in very cold weather, happily crawled into a
quinzee or igloo constructed for a protest against tuition fees and curled up for the night. Had the students
checked out the Greenspiration Web site they would have learned that this curious man was an old hand at
applied political snow architecture. It was at this time that Tooker began his association with Alternatives
Journal. His last column, “Every Breath You Take,” appeared posthumously in the Spring 2004 issue.
Tooker has left a legacy of accomplishments, challenges and happy memories. A look (or a browse and a
read) through the Greenspiration Web site reveals a life that became a work of political art.
A tear for you, Tooker — we loved you dearly. And to Angela, from all of us at Alternatives, our sympathy
and love at this time of loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Tooker’s death should awaken us to the need for vigilance and compassion in the environmental
community. Is anyone suffering from burnout, discouragement, loneliness or disappointment? Who has
been working behind the scenes, out of the limelight, without recognition? Do we listen as much as we
need to, and remember to give thanks and hugs? For Tooker’s sake, let’s keep the warmth flowing. One of
Tooker’s favourite sayings was “when spiders unite they can tie down a lion.” Get busy, start spinning, all us
little creatures.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Greg Michalenko teaches in Environment and Resource Studies at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, and
is a member of the editorial board of Alternatives.
Donations in Tooker’s memory can be made to the Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration Fund (charitable) or the
Tooker Gomberg Activist Fund at P.O. Box 1242, Station Place du Parc, Montreal, QC, H2X 4A7.
Tooker Gomberg online discussion, announcements, links -- a public online community to learn about and
discuss the life and ideas of Tooker Gomberg: www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Article found here: http://www.alternativesjournal.ca/special/tooker_tribute.htm
Also see Tooker & Angela's website: http://www.greenspiration.org
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Darren
Joined: 29 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:02 pm Post subject: Tooker Toronto memorial photos
quote
http://www.kwota.net/torontocranks/TookerGomberg
Reply with
These are a few of photographs from Tooker's Toronto memorial.
Darren
Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 3:11 pm Post subject: SONG: *Tooker (Le Monde à Bicyclette)*
with quote
Tooker (Le Monde à Bicyclette)
words and music by Mike Ford
I took a bike ride yesterday and saw a funny world at play
I saw new bike lanes on a street, saw people and slowed down to greet
Green boxes next to blue and grey, posters for a car-free-day
Saw families without a trace of fear enjoying public space
Pedal power in full sway - I saw things in a different way
Le Monde à bicyclette Le monde à bicyclette
Tooker Gomberg never shied away from what had not been tried
With faithful friends there at his side he showed us we could turn the tide
On Adam's Mine and Kyoto, and not go the way of the Dodo
Burnin' passport declarations, buried car commemorations
Robin Hood through town he'd glide, inviting us along to ride
Le Monde à bicyclette Le monde à bicyclette
When the King of Furniture decreed his actions immature
Tooker took aim at his crown and threw the peple's gauntlet down
Which some folks called buffoonery - how accurate they proved to be
For like the clowns of vielle Paris his stock in trade was honesty
Sparking fires mirthfully to melt the ice of apathy
Le Monde à bicyclette Le monde à bicyclette
Reply
Sometimes statistics only bore 'em, so he perforated dull decorum
Energized the public forum - what else can one do but adore him
Ask yourself and a make a list and for a spell unclench your fist
For laughter is an activist, look up now see through the mist
Conviction like a lightning flash, dispensed with humour and panache
Le Monde à bicyclette Le monde à bicyclette
I only saw him a couple a' times in person where the tower chimes
Raging at the climate crimes with horns a honkin', words in rhyme
Or juggling by a tent for peace in frozen winter without cease
We wish for him eternal laughter, peace of mind in the hereafter
Inspirin' him as he does we and may we all forever see
Le Monde à bicyclette Le monde à bicyclette
Tooker (Le Monde à Bicyclette) is a song written and
performed by Mike Ford (ananda at interlog.com).
(MP3 format, ~5 minutes, ~5 Megs; AU format, 4 Megs)
Links to Audio in two formats on Angela & Tooker`s Website:
http://www.greenspiration.org Greenspiration! Home [/url]
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:20 pm Post subject: RIDE BOARD people going to Tooker's MEMORIALS
crossCountry
Reply with quote
RIDE BOARD people going to Tooker's MEMORIALS crossCountry
Arrow Need a ride to a Tooker memorial or event?
Arrow Can offer a ride?
Post a brief message as a reply to this one (i.e. click on "post reply" at top left). Don't forget your contact
information, but be aware it will be publicly viewable.
Please don't create separate, new topics for ride requests/offers -- just reply to this one.
Other places where you can find ride-sharing, public transit and green transportation alternatives:
www.planetfriendly.net/living.html#transport
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
P.S. Thanks to Jean/Velorution for this idea.
Last edited by Peter Blanchard on Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:31 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Velorution2
Guest
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:26 pm Post subject: seeking a ride to edmonton a.s.a.p. Reply with
quote
LOOKING for RIDE to Edmonton(a.s.a.p.)
by Jean • Tuesday March 09, 2004 at 10:22 PM
I am going to Tooker Gomberg's MEMORIAL in Edmonton Monday 15 March in the evening.
I need a ride leaving Vancouver by Saturday or Sunday morning...
The ride can also be a partial one like: to the Okanagan, to the Shuswap, to Revelstoke, to Quesnel, to
Nelson or to Calgary, any fair distance at least 1/3 or 1/2 of the way on a main road..
please contact me
Jean (voice mail)604 682 3269 ext: 9521
I can sometimes be reached directly at
Pumpkin Patch(Peter's): 604 215 7478
or Merlin's: 604 738 2860
E-mail: sylph@canada.com
or: velo_rution@riseup.net
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=19
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 3:07 pm Post subject: seeking ride to Halifax memorial
quote
seeking ride to Halifax
Reply with
Jean is looking for a ride to the Halifax memorial,
from Montreal or Quebec City.
Please contact him as soon as possible at
this Montreal number: 514-387-1704
Cellphone: 514-812-9907
Alt.: 514-995-4677
Jiivan Jean Blais Mathieu
velo_rution no spam riseup.net
[Note: "Jean" is pronounced like "John"
but with a soft J, as in French.
Posted on his behalf by the moderator]
Editor's note: other places where you can find ride-sharing,
public transit and green transportation alternatives:
www.planetfriendly.net/living.html#transport
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject: LookingForRIDE, TORONTO toMONTREAL
MEMORIAL Thursd.March25th Reply with quote
Looking for RIDE from TORONTO to MONTREAL MEMORIAL Thursd. March 25th
You can call me through these phone #s :
416 516 8961 leave message to Shannon for JEAN
416 516 8961 leave message to Ayla for JEAN
416 591 5455 ext: 241 leave message to Mez for JEAN
ideally looking for ride tonight(Wednesday) otherwise Tomorrow : Thursday MORNING...
Jean Shocked
velo (no spam) riseup.net[/b]
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 2:35 pm Post subject: HALIFAX to Montreal, Toronto or VANCOUVER
Reply with quote
Surprised Looking for ride FROM HALIFAX to Montreal, Toronto or VANCOUVER
After (tuesday30th or )WEDNESDAY March 31st
JEAN Smile
to contact me...
CELLphone: 514 812 9907
for messages in Halifax: 902 464 7447
velo_rution( no spam )riseup.net
admin
Site Admin
Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Posts: 8
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject: love, respect and memories from Christina Lake, BC
Reply with quote
love, respect and memories from Christina Lake, BC
[posted on behalf of Jody & Jay - ed ]
I am writing to express our love and respect for Tooker Gomberg.
Like many writing to the message board, my partner, Jay,
and I have deeper lives for the brief time we spent with
Tooker and Angela. We met in the mid nineties at a logging
protest in Ontario, and have kept correspondence with both
Tooker and Angela off and on throughout the years.
Tooker's willingness to put himself in harm's way, to take
direct action when he felt it called for, and to draw attention
where it is least comfortable to look have inspired us in many
ways.
Angela – our hearts go out to you. We are setting time aside
to say a Blessing for Tooker and for you. March 3rd is the
birth anniversary for our son Rowan (who turned 7 this year).
We will teach him to honour Tooker's memory alongside the
celebration of his birth, that Tooker can continue to mentor
and inspire as he did in life.
With All our Love and respect,
Jodi and Jay in Christina Lake, BC
first part of e-mail address iam ; last part sunshinecable.com
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Owlmon
Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 6:13 am Post subject: The Pedalers
For Angela and Tooker
The Pedalers
Pedal and power and glory to the air
The people hear him coming
But wait there is a pair
Reply with quote
Two bobbing dashing helmets
two saddles on each side
Four ever pumping pistons
and two smiling faced by pride
Onward in the clearing and scrubbing of the breeze
Ticketing the nations bringing pollution to it's knees
Wheeling out the message with a gasmask in the ink
Composting for the planet making every child think
Now we all can take a lesson from the motion of the pair
Tookers tieless statement and Angela of the Air
Two caught up in the motion of the living life it seems
Two passing out the beauty of the vision of their dreams
So now that one of them has Cycled beyond the borderline
into crystal and to timelessness and recycling of divine
we will recall the echoed bells and the laughter of his charm
and the feeling of his love as it lifted up your arm
The feeling of his energy so concentrated pure
enough to last three lifetimes and the knowledge to endure
We all may follow pathways traveled by this powerhouse of try
Or we can sit by and do nothing till the day that we pass by.
We can complain and we can grovel over milk that long been spilled
Or we can continue on past holes and further nurture will
Like the man of motion greened and proud partner at his pace
will be an eternal flame in history to help to win the race.
That all of us are running and need to see the lead
as it is them who set the pace and set the fertile seed
So remember bells and wheels and the ever smiling face
and the passion for the masses that helped him keep the pace
Yes duplicate the effort and and triplicate the love
that was put out by this man who instilled the will to shove
To push a little harder than the others in his class
To end the day with more of an effort so to pass
So we end this day with memories and keep them evermore
As we say Goodbye to Tooker but never close the door
Yes we can remember Ecocity and the tie that was never worn
And the rolling of his wheels his bell that was a horn
The handcuffs and the Greenpeace and the Circus when in town
were all a part of Tooker as his wheels were spinning round
Yes they were all a part of Tooker the ups along with downs
yes we will never lose the passion as we pass his memories round
Blessings and tears
Robin
Yes I in agony heard via the net about Tooker passing away. While searching for Angela's number I found
out about Mirella Zapone a treasured advocate of Tookers and Angela, having a fatal accident while coming
to Edmonton to mourn with others over Tooker's passing . I am still in shock and grief. It was a
double edged sword to find out that way.
It has inspired these words
My heart is heavy for the girl
and will beat weaker without her presence.
We must learn more of the living
The waters of living knowledge can not quench our thirst when the master
Plummer turns off the tap.
Missing Mirella
To late we hear and see tis said
and tooth is grown long
whilst defending land and passion
and singing prides own song
We seldom know the difference
lest her sounds are no more heard
twixt the welcoming of friends
and her passing with no words
Yes our hair may fall and gray
but the passing of a friend
was missing in our knowledge
till we heard of her sudden end
No class for preparation
No pix to store our tears
Just hundreds of them passing
As we mark away our years
No quenching consternation
No pillow for our fears
Just wisdom in the massing
and another pool of tears
Just wisdom and the passing
of a loved one and her cheers
Just wisdom yet to come
and another pool of tears
Minister Belanger
owlmon@goldcity.net
Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:50 pm Post subject: ToTooker'sFriends: The Bicycle Song byDavidRovic
Reply with quote
Hi!ALL,
David Rovics Bunked at Tooker & Angela's house in January 2004 during his concert tour in the maritimes...
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN to his MUSIC FOR FREE ON HIS WEB SITE...
" THE BICYCLE SONG "
HERE IT IS! i found it!!! Go To: http://davidrovics.com/
click on 'audio & video on line'(left side of the page)
then to: http://www.soundclick.com/davidrovics
it is at the bottom of the page 3rd song from last
Tooker's friend Jiivan Jean dit le Sylphe Enjoy! ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When you get there you will have all the follwing links:
The Bicycle Song
play lo-fi play hi-fi MP3 Lyrics/Story
Acoustic : Folk
When my friend Bill Taylor said he was forming a chorus to sing songs to promote bike-riding, I wrote this
song as a contribution to the cause.
Tell-a-friend Add to My.SoundClick Discuss Your vote: hot flop
Album:Make It So ©David Rovics 1998 All Rights Reserved MP3: 2.5MB
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lyrics/Story ...
The Bicycle Song
(David Rovics)
play lo-fi play hi-fi
Everybody's wondering what they're gonna do
Everything's a mess and folks are feeling blue
If your troubles get you down so much you can't abide
Get on that bicycle and ride
(chorus)
Yeah, get on that bicycle and ride
'Neath the sunny skies or along the oceanside
Just ride, ride, ride, ride, ride
They're doing it in Eugene, Havana and Shanghai
Even folks in Boston-town are giving it a try
Throwing out their gastanks, the clean air by their side
Get on that bicycle and ride
(chorus)
It's good for your heart and it's good for your brain
When those fluorescent lights are driving you insane
Your toes'll tingle in your shoes, when to the pedal they're applied
Just get on that bicycle and ride
(chorus)
If you're having troubles with your lovers, the tandem's made for that
You'll work together wonderfully or else you'll just go splat
Gonna shut down Main Street, make the bike paths far and wide
And get on that bicycle and ride
(chorus)
About this song
When my friend Bill Taylor said he was forming a chorus to sing songs to promote bike-riding, I wrote this
song as a contribution to the cause.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AFTER THE REVOLUTION
I am also very inspired by this next one wich point towards Tooker's vision of a better world... THIS IS
ACTUALLY THE ONE AT THE TOP OF THE: http//:www.soundclick.com/davidrovics PAGE
Jean ENJOY! ...
............................
After the Revolution
play lo-fi play hi-fi MP3 Lyrics/Story
Acoustic : Folk
Some thoughts on how life could be different.
Tell-a-friend Add to My.SoundClick Discuss Your vote: hot flop
Album:return ©David Rovics 2003 All Rights Reserved MP3: 13.3MB
AFTER THE REVOLUTION
(David Rovics)
play lo-fi play hi-fi
It was a time I'll always remember
Because I could never forget
How reality fell down around us
Like some Western movie set
And once the dust all settled
The sun shone so bright
And a great calm took over us
Like it was all gonna be alright
That's how it felt to be alive
After the revolution
From Groton to Tacoma
On many a factory floor
The workers talked of solidarity
And refused to build weapons of war
No more will we make missiles
We're gonna do something different
And for the first time
Their children were proud of their parents
And somewhere in Gaza a little boy smiled and cried
After the revolution
Prison doors swung open
And mothers hugged their sons
The Liberty Bell was ringing
When the cops put down their guns
A million innocent people
Lit up in the springtime air
And Mumia and Leonard and Sarah Jane Olson
Took a walk in Tompkins Square
And they talked about what they'd do now
After the revolution
The debts were all forgiven
In all the neo-colonies
And the soldiers left their bases
Went back to their families
And a non-aggression treaty
Was signed with every sovereign state
And all the terrorist groups disbanded
With no empire left to hate
And they all started planting olive trees
After the revolution
George Bush and Henry Kissinger
Were sent off to the World Court
Their plans for global domination
Were pre-emptively cut short
Their weapons of mass destruction
Were inspected and destroyed
The battleships were dismantled
Never again to be deployed
And the world breathed a sigh of relief
After the revolution
Solar panels were on the rooftops
Trains upon the tracks
Organic food was in the markets
No GMO's upon the racks
And all the billionaires
Had to learn how to share
And Bill Gates was told to quit his whining
When he said it wasn't fair
And his mansion became a collective farm
After the revolution
And all the political poets
Couldn't think of what to say
So they all decided
To live life for today
I spent a few years catching up
With all my friends and lovers
Sleeping til eleven
Home beneath the covers
And I learned how to play the accordian
After the revolution
About this song
Some thoughts on how life could be different.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN FOR FREE ON HIS WEB SITE...
N.B. :THERE ARE NO LINKS HERE... IT IS JUST A COPY OF THE
Audio and Video On-Line PAGE to give an idea of what is on there...
Audio and Video On-Line
Note: There are lots of other songs and videos on-line that aren't here because I don't know where to find
them and don't have time to look. If you know of anything that you don't find below, please feel free to
email me and I'll put 'em down here.
The following websites contains MP3's of all of the songs from all of my CD's, including some web-only
releases, all available for free download:
www.soundclick.com/davidrovics (high bandwidth)
http://hillstrom.iww.org/music/david_rovics (low bandwidth)
If you'd like to support my policy of making all of my music available for free, you are more than welcome to
throw a few bucks in my "virtual guitar case":
At the website above you can also download MP3's of other great political artists by going to the index at
http://hillstrom.iww.org/music.
Live at the Capitol Theater The whole concert from beginning to end (104 minutes) from February, 2004 in
Olympia, Washington.
Live at the Wise Hall Here's a concert from February, 2004 in Vancouver, BC, plus an interview with Chris
Spannos of Vancouver's Cooperative Radio.
Interview with Charles Boylan on Co-op Radio in Vancouver, BC, also from February, 2004.
Flashpoints interview with Dennis Bernstein on KPFA.
Across the Great Divide interview on KPFA in February, 2004.
Between the Lines interview on WBAI from December, 2003.
Great video clip from The Sorry State of the Union event outside of Bush's January, 2003 state of the union
speech including me singing "The Next Attack."
Check out a powerful, creative video with Allie Rosenblatt and I singing Behind That Gate as the backdrop.
Most of the footage is from the November, 2002 protests at the School of the Americas. (I wrote the song
that morning about what was happening there at the protest, with the cops all blatantly violating the 1st
and 4th Amendments, among other laws.) Check out other great work by these folks at Snowshoe Films.
Click on "music" on their website to check out the videos of my songs and others.
Interview with Stefan Christoff of Free Speech Radio News that was broadcast on CKUT in Montreal in
September, 2003.
Interview with Tom of CHRY in Toronto from September, 2003.
Atlanta IMC's Currents of Resistance show (2003) with a piece about Rachel Corrie (including my song about
her).
Piece on Rachel Corrie from KAOS in Olympia, Washington from March, 2004 (including some of my music).
This page of Stream Reel's Audio Archives includes really good-quality live tracks from various Nader Rallies,
including stuff by Eddy Vedder, Michael Franti, Patti Smith, and my song "The Dying Firefighter" from the
Boston rally (mis-titled last I checked, called "Bravery").
Listen to an interview with Verna Avery-Brown on Pacifica's Peacewatch program from October 17th, 2002.
Here's one of many great shows from the National Radio Project, Making Contact from Sept. 11, 2002,
which includes some of my music.
Listen to an interview with me on People's Global Radio from the European People's Global Action
conference in Leiden, Netherlands in September, 2002.
An interview on Boston Indymedia done by radio people in Willimantic, Connecticut in August '02.
Baltimore Indymedia Interview in print and audio form.
Recording of live interview on DC Indymedia from September, 2001 which happened during the IMF/antiwar protests at that time (unedited, sound quality varies).
On SOA Watch's page on the 2002 Colombia Mobilization there's a two-part video you can watch. It's really
well-done. A bit past half-way on Part I is me and Allie Rosenblatt doing "Drink of the Death Squads." A bit
before that is Solstice singing "We Just Wanna Launch Missiles," and there's lots of other great stuff there.
You can search the archives of Democracy Now! for my appearances on the show (or just listen to the show,
it's awesome). One to check out is the first hour of June 6, 2003 with me, Rachel Corrie's parents, Tom
Hurndall's father and Rafeef Ziadah.
See and hear me singing "Shut Them Down" in Prague on September 27th, 2000 at Prague IMC.
You can find an entire concert I played at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine on Maine IMC
(from November 5th, 2001). Also on Maine Indymedia you can find audio from a peace rally in Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, and concerts on April 16th and 17th, 2002 with myself, Ethan Miller and others.
Go to Santa Cruz IMC for a 5-part video of a performance in Santa Cruz with Allie Rosenblatt backing me up
on harmony vocals, recorded in February, 2002, and photos from that gig, too. (The photos are at the top,
the video is all the way at the bottom.)
There's a very well-done five-minute interview with me on KUNM (New Mexico public radio) from January,
2002.
Go to Joe Public Films to view a clip from the documentary, Greetings from Missile Street, about the
genocidal sanctions on Iraq, which features my song, "My Daughter."
Listen to an interview with me and Jim Page from December, 2001 on Free Radio Burlington.
You can download an MP3 of the David Rovics Special, a 51-minute interview from February 24th, 2000
from Uncle Dennis's Earth First! Radio show. It's a very informative show heard every week on the pirated
airwaves of Santa Cruz, California, and whatever other radio station in the world that wants to download
the show. This and lots of other great shows are hosted on the web through the good people of Radio4All.
Go to this page in the KPIG Archives (from July 18th, 1999, on a show called Please Stand By) to listen to
another live interview and a bunch of songs. Once you're listening to the RealAudio file, drag the bar to
41:50 or so to get to the beginning of the segment I'm in. To check out KPIG's website starting from the
main page, go to www.KPIG.com.
The web site of the 20th annual Great Labor Arts Exchange features a picture of me singing at the event and
a recording of me singing my song, "Minimum Wage Strike," live at the event, along with other cool stuff.
Here's a great website called Musica Subterranea, which features audio, pictures and interviews with
various buskers in the Boston subways, including myself. (The above link will take you to my page. At the
bottom of it you can click on different "T Stops" to visit the pages of other performers. Start at "Park Street"
to go through the series from beginning to end.)
There's an "anti-war concert" with audio tracks of various artists put together by whoever does the
Research Site on Indonesia, Southeast Asia, the Islamic World, and American Society.
Created June, 1998
Updated March, 2004
Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 4:33 pm Post subject: Pray for the Dead & Fight Like Hell for the Living
Reply with quote
Hi! Ange, Sally, Kelly, & friends of Tooker...
In January when David Rovics was on tour across Canada & in the Maritimes he was camping (was a guest)
at Tooker & Angela's place in Dartmouth...
I was looking for David's BICYCLE SONG on http://www.davidrovics.com/ click on *audio & video on line* all
music, lyrics, etc for FREE... www.soundclick.com/davidrovics (high bandwidth)
http://hillstrom.iww.org/music/david_rovics (low bandwidth)
...& i came across this other song (see below) & thought it was so appropriate & beautiful. Here are the
words (or you can go & hear it at the above mentioned links).
Jean
P.S. : The Bicycle Song is there somewhere on his website...
i'll find it later nader, in a while crocodile... & i will post it on the: ...
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
(I have to get off the net for now, going to Mtl Memorial, need a ride from Toronto to Mtl or standby
plane...
ANYONE DRIVING TO MONTREAL ...PLease CALL 416-88WATER
& 416-516-8961 & 416-516-8236 & leave message for JEAN
velo_rution( nospam )riseup.net
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
P.S. : The Bicycle Song is there somewhere on his website...
i'll find it later nader, in a while crocodile... & i will post it on the: ...
Memorial Discussion Forum & Bulletin Board
a public on-line community to learn about and
discuss the life and ideas of Tooker Gomberg
http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
***Take Care Of Yourself & Take Care Of Each Other*** Very Happy
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
PRAY FOR THE DEAD & FIGHT LIKE HELL FOR THE LIVING
David Rovics
They bombed Philadelphia, killed women and children and men
It's an old story, we see it again and again
Shot into houses while people burned inside
So many have fought and so many good people have died
They murdered and put MOVE in prison -- now they're bringing more forces to bear
Are we gonna let them strap Mumia to the electric chair? Or...
Will we pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living
Stand up on our feet or die in slavery
Is there somebody here whose live is not worth giving?
Who's it gonna be if it isn't you and me?
They killed Crazy Horse, drove his people onto the reserve
Killed children and buffalo, some lower power to serve
The people starved and they died behind the impassable wall
In tipis and churches, even ghost dancers would fall
Now from Ecuador to Big Mountain, relocation is rearing it's head
Will we turn our backs or recall what the good woman said?
Chorus
They poisoned the water, poisoned the air and the earth
Who here believes that the dollar is all that our planet is worth
They cut down the forests, cut down the mountains and anything else they could take
What a cynical greed to do business, knowing all life is at stake
Now as they destroy all that remains, who here will part with the last
Will we raise our voice to the madness -- rise up, lock down, stand fast?
Chorus
From Manilla to Managua, how many have died in our names
From Santiago to Santo Domingo, it is a murderous game
From Baghdad to Belgrade, mass murder from ten thousand feet
But from Hanoi to Havana, there is talk of the tiger's defeat
Will we wait for the next time, to kill kids on some far-away shore
Or will we throw a wrench in the gears as we shout, "no mas, no more"
Copyright David Rovics 1999, all rights reserved
http://members.aol.com/drovics/prayl.htm
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:58 pm Post subject: Halifax Memorial, Mon Mar 29
quote
Halifax Memorial
Monday, March 29, 6:30 p.m.
St. Matthias Church, basement (Chebucto and Windsor).
Info: (902) 423-2122
www.greenspiration.org
(posted by Peter Blanchard)
[Halifax & Nova Scotia eco- & activist links, events, organizations...
http://www.planetfriendly.net/calendars.html#easterncanada
Nova Scotia Environment Network www.web.ca/~nsen/
Ecology Action Centre, Halifax www.ecologyaction.ca - ed]
Reply with
Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 1:09 pm Post subject: Angela's Eulogy for Tooker Reply with quote
In remembrance of my true love...
Angela Bischoff, March 10, 2004
I remember when I first laid eyes on him. I was the keener in the front row, he the workshop leader. I was
awestruck how he could make the rocket science of bicycle repair seem appealing to me. His hair was much
longer then, frizzed, and he donned a white lab coat, like a doctor undertaking an operation, tools in hand,
assembling a two-wheeled wonder. We were both smitten. I wondered to myself that night if I might share
my life with this beautiful, kind and entertaining man.
The next seventeen years our lives entwined like two vines. He was an ever-faithful husband, gentle,
thoughtful, and fun. What a ride we had together. Year after year we described our relationship as one that
just kept getting better. How blessed I am to have loved and received the love of my soul mate for a good
part of my life.
Did you know Tooker loved animals? I think he related to their vulnerability, and recognized their inherent
beauty. He grew up with turtles and hamsters, dogs and cats, birds and fish. At age 12, he gave up eating
meat -- for good. He was resolute in his convictions, without seeking affirmation or passing judgment. He
begged me for a pet in recent years, but I forbade it. We were always on the move (presenting,
campaigning, researching, documenting, learning, sharing). Instead he settled for plastic lizards and bugs,
and he never missed a chance at putting them under the pillow of a guest, or dropping them in my pocket.
I wonder how many people ever had the pleasure of seeing Tooker juggle. He was playful, skilled, agile. He
would often juggle fruit in the grocery store to the delight of kids stuck in shopping carts. That's how he
lived his life, skillfully handling many balls at once, always taking more on, knowing when to drop a ball or
toss it to another, never lacking creativity or spunk. He was a hard act to follow. He raised the bar for us all.
Did you ever hear him play harmonica? He played a sweet, mellow tone, melodious, always delightful.
When we traveled to far away lands where the language barrier prevented us from relating to local people,
Tooker would pull out his harp, and before long every villager within earshot would gather round to be
entertained. He was a magnet. Wherever he landed, be it Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax or Hong
Kong, community was enriched.
Tooker never thought of himself as spiritual, but he was as ardent and faithful as any member of the clergy.
He was guided by ethics of ecology and justice, and he lived and taught them on every hilltop, schoolroom
or chamber of power in which he found himself, never missing a beat, never missing an opportunity. The
rest of us relied on him to fill the gaps; he rarely let us down. He was a man of faith, faith that we could save
ourselves from doom, faith that we could come together as community to make change. He was a
champion of the underdog. He lead the way. Many saw him as a visionary. Some called him a prophet.
Did you ever see Tooker's library? You would have seen how he became an authority on such a vast array of
social and ecological issues. Did your ever see him question unjust authority? Although short in stature, he
was a giant in courage, bursting with chutzpah.
His more than thirty years of self-education and commitment to a sustainable, peaceful and more just world
lead him to see interconnections between issues. He fought the battle against climate change like few
others. From cars, to tar sands, to wars in the gulf, he remained in the trenches. But he did so with sparkle.
Renewable energy and the humble bicycle were greenspirational solutions to our global problems, and
without doubt time will prove him right.
Tooker's keen insight and generous spirit touched lives around the world, and in that his life lives on.
In my heart and in my soul I ache for my partner, my lover, my soul mate. I will miss cycling through life with
him at my side. I will miss his warm embrace, his tenderness, brilliance, humour, support and sweet smile.
May he live on through me and through all of us...
When we married, we rang our bicycle bells in celebration. Today I celebrate and honor Tooker's life by
ringing that same bell. Perhaps next time you hear a bicycle bell you'll think of him. May he be at peace.
(rings bicycle bell 3 times)
Tooker & Angela's Greenspiration! Website
www.greenspiration.org
sasha.
Joined: 24 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:48 am Post subject: Tooker memorial farewell - The Pope Squat Reply
with quote
Dear Tooker,
I want to thank you for all your love and passion for people and the environment, for your indefatigable
sparking enthusiasm and creative activism that has inspired me on many occasions I had the privilege to
share with you.
You were there on the streets and in the public eye tirelessly advocating for equal rights, protecting the
interests of the disenfranchised, educating the public about sustainable living practices, and helping
government officials to be better informed and functional. Everyone knew you and you knew everyone.
You were there to open the Pope Squat and helped to make it the most successful housing action in history
of Toronto. Your continuous presence at the Pope Squat gave us the necessary energy to keep it going, and
with your efforts the Pope Squat managed to house over fifty homeless and marginalized persons for over
three months, prompting a stimulating and ongoing discussions worldwide about the issues of
homelessness, affordable housing, and human rights.
You were there on the cold Hallowe'en night when police raided the Pope Squat and brought this housing
initiative to an end. You have setup your tent across the street in protest of their actions. You clothed and
fed people, and for two weeks organized attempts to reconcile with the city. You were the last to leave the
Pope Squat on November 14, 2002.
I admire and honour your commitment to social wisdom and your empathy for all. Your heart was the size
of the Universe and your life was the Love in your heart. If good things can happen, then they will happen.
You made a sacrifice to bring the Good in God. Rest in Peace dear friend Tooker Gomberg.
"Some parts of the past must be preserved, and some of the future prevented at all costs."
sasha. - the Pope Squatter
Symbiosis magazine - a Pope Squat publication
Publisher / Editor http://symbio.trick.ca
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:27 am Post subject: related links, resources, organizations
with quote
Editor's note - some related links, resources, organizations:
The Pope Squat - links & articles
www.google.ca/search?q=%22pope+squat%22
Nonviolent Protest & Social Change
www.dmoz.org/Society/Activism/Nonviolence/
www.nonviolence.org/commentary/messages/2047.htm
A Force More Powerful (excellent PBS video on
the use of nonviolent conflict for positive social change;
now available on video. Also: readables, materials for
teachers and discussion)
www.pbs.org/weta/forcemorepowerful/ www.films.com
Reply
Poverty & Social Justice - links, resources, organizations
www.planetfriendly.net/directory.html#justice
Community & Housing - links, resources, organizations
www.planetfriendly.net/directory.html#community
(scroll down to "affordable housing")
– Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net/tooker/
people@planetfriendly.net
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:02 am Post subject: HOW TO KEEP IN TOUCH? Reply with quote
Keep in touch...
Ironically, Tooker's passing has resulted in an amazing
coming together of the community. But we're spread
across the country. Once the memorials disperse,
it will be easy to fall out of touch.
If you would like to keep "in the loop" with discussions,
initiatives and events related to Tooker and his work,
there are several ways to do so:
(1) Subscribe to Tooker & Angela's Greenspiration e-mail
list. I have not yet heard Angela's plans for this list, but
it's likely she will be continuing it. The subscribe address
can be found at the bottom of their website:
www.greenspiration.org If you try to subscribe but do
not receive anything, you might want to try again in a
month or two, once things have settled down somewhat.
(2) Visit Tooker & Angela's website, www.greenspiration.org
and the on-line forum, www.planetfriendly.net/tooker/
from time to time.
Not as directly related...
(3) Participate in the discussions on Activist Mutual Support
and Creating Stronger Community:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
(4) Look for related events on the Planet-Friendly Calendar,
Newsletter and GoodWork list, www.planetfriendly.net
(5) Other ideas? . . .
– Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net/tooker/
people@planetfriendly.net
P.S. This year we again hope to produce a special edition on
"Green & Healthy Grassroots Gatherings, Festivals & Retreats"
-- healthy ways to get together and spend some quality
time with other activists and 'ecofreaks'. Last year's can
be found here: www.planetfriendly.net/summerfest.html
HiMY
Joined: 22 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Toronto Downtown
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:59 am Post subject: pics from Toronto memorial & elsewhere
with quote
AsalamAlayKum,
Peace and e-Greetings be upon you all.
Last night I attended Tooker's Memorial in Toronto,
I've quickly thrown together a website with over a 100 photos.
http://www.Tooker.TYO.ca
Photos from are from last night's Toronto Memorial.
Please propagate if you wish.
~ HiMY! ~
p.s. sorry for this non-personalised msg,
I hafta rush to an Activist event: we,
Reply
meaning Project Threadbare, are meeting
at 10 am at bloor/spadina to caravan it
to Minister Sgro's office to demand
Fahim Kayani NOT be deported tomorrow.
Somehow, rushing this quickie website
online with a digital camera meant for
taking OUTDOOR and Not Indoor photos,
and then me running out of time this
morning to properly add captions under
each and every picture because I hafta
rush off to an action is... would be... well... 'very Tooker'.
Wink
Keep Smilin'
~ HiMY! ~
_________________
http://www.Takaful.TK
http://www.TOOKER.TYO.ca
http://www.GregAllan.TYO.ca
http://www.PeaceSanctuary.TYO.ca
http://www.ProjectThreadbare.TYO.ca
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Peter Blanchard
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Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:36 pm Post subject: more photos
Photos...
More photos of the Toronto memorial:
www.kwota.net/torontocranks/TookerGomberg
Photos of Tooker and his work can be found
on various sites and tribute articles:
Photo of Tooker Gomberg (Discussion Forum Homepage)
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
Indymedia Victoria Article
http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2004/03/22791_comment.php
Reply with quote
Tooker's Writings, News, Links, Pictures...
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 6:21 pm Post subject: Questions & Issues Concerning Tooker Gomberg's
Disappear
Reply with quote
Questions & Issues Concerning Tooker Gomberg's Disappearance
by Anthony J. Hall, Ph.D. Monday March 22, 2004 at 04:55 PM
Recent News from http://people.uleth.ca/~hall/
What really happened? !?! Confused
see: http://maritimes.indymedia.org/news/2004/03/7536.php
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Peter Blanchard
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Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:11 pm Post subject: please don't start a rumour mill
quote
please don't start a rumour mill...
Hello,
In my opinion, Anthony Hall is going out on a
limb here. While his concern is probably genuine,
it seems to me that he does not have all the facts.
Reply with
To the best of my knowledge, Tooker's closest family
and friends -- those who are the most familiar with
Tooker and exactly what happened -- do not have
any doubt around the circumstances surrounding
Tooker's death.
I caution readers against indulging in rumour, or
taking alternative theories too seriously.
Tooker's friends and family are in mourning, and
there are others who are vulnerable and should
be considered.
- Peter Blanchard
admin
Site Admin
Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Posts: 8
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:03 pm Post subject: Tooker in the Netherlands
[posted on behalf of "kees" - ed]
Tooker in the Netherlands
Tooker spent six weeks in the Netherlands, after having
burnt his passport at the The Hague climate conference
in November 2000.
Finally he was nicked by the cops at an antimilitarist action
camp at the nuclear base of Volkel, put away in a rotten
cel for 8 days and put in an airplane back to Canada.
He made many friends here in those weeks. I wrote
a short notice on his death on dutch indymedia
( www.indymedia.nl/nl/2004/03/17619.shtml ) to let
people know what happened.
Though it will be hard to cope with the fact that Tooker
decided to leave us alone, we can be comforted a bit by
the knowledge that he really lived his life to the full
Reply with quote
and inspired many people to do the same.
kees
[first part of email keesstad ...
second portion of address: xs4all.nl ]
David Wellhauser
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Waterloo
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 4:07 pm Post subject: Waterloo feels the loss
Reply with quote
The following is a letter I wrote and sent out to help come to terms with the news. At least Tooker isn't in
pain anymore.
March 9, 2004
Last Friday morning I received an email notifying me that Tooker Gomberg took his own life. For those of
you who didn’t know him, Tooker was one of Canada’s top environmental activists. Several years ago the
Wilfrid Laurier Univerity Environment Club brought him to Laurier to participate in a day of environmental
activism. He participated in a parking space take-over, lectured to a politics class, spoke in the concourse
and participated in a critical mass bike ride.
I think it is important for us to ask why and how such an involved and important member of our society
could become so overwhelmed with grief and pain that he would take his own life? I read on the internet
that “suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain”. When a person
commits suicide their pain may end, but the pain experienced by those around them just begins.
Suicide is a very sensitive topic. But apparently it is a common phenomena. I’d encourage anyone who is
depressed or feeling overwhelmed with pain to talk with someone and get help. Life is to precious not to.
My deepest condolences go out to everyone whose been affected by suicide.
Respectfully,
David Wellhauser
_________________
www.wellhauser.ca
www.waterlooians.ca
www.nharo.com
www.cirquedulake.ca
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David Wellhauser
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Waterloo
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 5:40 pm Post subject: Toronto memorial was theraputic
Reply with
quote
Yesterday I attended the wonderful memorial for Tooker. It was really positive and theraputic. Tooker's
passing had a profound impact on so many of us. I really appreciated the comments dealing with
depression.
The singers and speakers did a fantastic job as well.
Thank-you.
World Peace in '04,
David Wellhauser
_________________
www.wellhauser.ca
www.waterlooians.ca
www.nharo.com
www.cirquedulake.ca
angela woodcock
Joined: 19 Mar 2004
Posts: 2
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 3:56 pm Post subject: Kevin Jardine: memories of Tooker in Edmonton,
Toronto, Holl Reply with quote
[posted on behalf of Kevin Jardine - ed]
Memories of Tooker in Edmonton, Toronto, the Netherlands
I first met Tooker in 1992 when he was running for Edmonton City Council. As a Greenpeace climate
campaigner, I was looking for campaign targets and discovered a proposal to build a coal-fired power
station near Edmonton. I had meetings in Winnipeg and Sault Ste Marie to go to as well so I took a bus and
stopped off along the way.
Working with the local Greenpeace canvass office, we set up a mock power plant complete with a conveyor
belt and dry ice smoke outside a city council meeting. Tooker and the Eco City Society came out to support
us. After the event ran on the radio and the 6 o'clock news, Tooker and I were celebrating at the Eco City
office when he got an aggrieved phone call from the head of Edmonton Power. "How could you work with a
Greenpeace person who just flew in from Toronto?", the power chief complained. "He didn't fly in", Tooker
said - "He took the bus!".
There is no bus across the Atlantic and after careful thought I've decided not to burn the carbon and instead
participate in a No War demonstration in Brussels this weekend. I think Tooker would approve.
Tooker won the election and soon set up an international network of advisers and idea generators. I was
fortunate and honoured to be one of them and attended the occasional strategy meeting in Edmonton.
Tooker soon found that a huge part of the job was plowing through the enormous documents generated by
city officials. "They're trying to swamp us", he told me with a grin, "but I think we're staying above water".
Tooker was a real policy wonk and spent many hours with volunteers scanning telephone book size
municipal reports, looking for water, waste and water projects that could be replaced with conservation or
more sustainable alternatives. When he found one, he sent a call out to his advisor network asking for the
best alternative examples from around the world. Then he charmed and argued with fellow councillors to
make them happen.
Tooker got things done - an amazing number of things during his short term in office. When his term was
over, not only was Edmonton a cleaner and healthier place, but he had blocked the construction of so many
unsustainable and unnecessary water, waste and power projects that over the long term he saved the city
millions of dollars.
I was lucky enough to convince Tooker and his partner Angela to move to Toronto in 1999 where Tooker
took my position after I transferred to Amsterdam. Tooker used his time in Toronto as effectively as ever,
both when working at Greenpeace and after, when he took on social justice and war issues as well as
running for Mayor.
I last saw Tooker in Amsterdam at the end of 2000, after he had burned his passport at a climate conference
in the Hague. Tooker watched politicians and their advisors replace environmental action with endless
sterile debate and he was angry.
He could get very angry, especially at politicians. As a politician he had focused on action and he could not
tolerate politicians who prefered to dither rather than solve important problems. I was shocked at how
angry Tooker was when I saw him in Amsterdam. Then I realised that I had become comfortably numb
about a world where politicians needed to be manipulated or forced into making a few right decisions.
Tooker refused to accept such a world and believed that politicians should be accountable to the people
who voted for them and should work to make the world a better place. For a little while when I was with
Tooker, I even thought that such a world might be possible.
Tooker's greatest skill was creating hope. He led the way in making alternatives possible and he challenged
other leaders to do the same.
That's why his death is so shocking. But I don't think that his death cancels out at all what he was able to
accomplish. Depression can infect anyone, even amazing, charismatic hope-bringers like Tooker. He
accomplished much and inspired many thousands while he was here.
- Kevin Jardine
Roland Schoepf
Joined: 20 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Saskatoon
PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 1:46 am Post subject: My Hero
Reply with quote
For one of those people whose paths crossed briefly with Tooker and Angela a long time ago; I wish to step
forward to honor them for their commitment to their brothers and sisters of this earth bound community.
Tooker served as a mirror to our souls. He reminded us that with every great undertaking we need to look
at that which we create, and that which we destroy.
We can celebrate his life, though we may want to mourn our destiny. The bitter irony in Tooker's passing is
that Tooker did what few people in our society are willing to do. He stood up for what matters. Call it
brave... bold... valiant... to him perhaps this was the only way for him to live. For Tooker tried to give us a
conscience. To help us view beyond ourselves, our greed and our arrogance... to envision that which was so
clear to Tooker... a world community that cared for itself and lived as though life mattered.
Tooker was an underdog. In our world of "high" gloss and "smart" packaging, Tooker was a diamond in the
rough. He was discounted by his attire... dismissed by his stature... yet he made up for it in "heart". He
walked as a giant among those who honored his presence, his insight, and his word. Tooker... you have
always been and will always be my hero.
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:38 pm Post subject: latest e-newsletter - memorial edition - please forward
Reply with quote
...help spread the word...
Hello,
Below is the latest edition of the People- & Planet-Friendly
e-mail newsletter, a special memorial edition. It just
went out this afternoon (Friday). Thanks to the Toronto
organizing team for much of the content. Please
forward to others interested...
- Peter Blanchard
http://www.planetfriendly.net
http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
SUBJECT: Tooker Gomberg Memorials, Events, Forums, Links, Funds
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOOKER GOMBERG MEMORIAL EDITION
A special edition of People- & Planet-Friendly
http://www.planetfriendly.net www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOOKER GOMBERG - ENVIRONMENTALIST, ACTIVIST, POLITICIAN
Since the passing of Tooker Gomberg earlier this month,
thousands have been giving tribute and discussing Tooker's
life and ideas - and where to go from here. This e-mail
is a summary of some of the upcoming events plus
on-line tributes, discussion, resources and community.
CONTENTS
(1) TORONTO Memorial & Celebration, Sun Mar 21, 5:30pm
(2) WORLDWIDE Critical Mass Ride, Fri Mar 26, 6pm
(3) Montreal Public Memorial, Thurs Mar 25, 7pm
(4) Halifax Memorial, date t.b.a.
(5) TOOKER IN VIDEO: What His Life Taught Us, Mon Apr 26
(6) ONLINE DISCUSSION, Tributes, Community, Links, more...
(7) ONLINE SUPPORT FORUMS, building stronger community...
(8) MEMORIAL FUNDS
*** For more related events, announcements & updates, see
the on-line forum: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
and http://www.greenspiration.org ***
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(1) TORONTO MEMORIAL & CELEBRATION, Sun Mar 21
~ an evening to remember a friend ~ *NEW LOCATION*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sudden passing of Tooker Gomberg leaves us saddened
and contemplative. One of Canada's most daring and
courageous political figures, Tooker was a friend,
co-conspirator and guiding light to so many of us.
A selfless trailblazer, Tooker's absence will be felt in
Canada's environmental, labour, social justice, human
rights, arts and music communities - and around the world.
We invite you to join in reflection, mourning and
celebration of such an exemplary writer, activist, politician,
videographer and comedian. Our thoughts and prayers
go out to Tooker's family and to Angela, his soulmate
of 17 years.
Sunday March 21st (the first day of Spring)
METROPOLITAN UNITED CHURCH
56 Queen Street East (at Church)
The Church will be open at 5:30, for catching up with friends,
posting photos and contributing to the Celebration Book.
The Memorial will begin at 6pm. If you'd like to help
set-up before the memorial, please arrive at 5pm.
There will be a gathering after the memorial.
Please bring a bicycle bell and also feel free to
bring a photo of Tooker (that you can leave behind)
and a contribution for the Celebration Book (8.5 x 11)
Contacts:
Shannon Thompson ~ shanee@look.ca
Dave Meslin ~ mez@publicspace.ca
NEW LOCATION FOR TORONTO MEMORIAL
Due to the overwhelming amount of response & support that
we have received in the past few days, we have decided to
move Sunday's gathering to a larger venue to comfortably
accommodate greater numbers than we had expected.
The new location is the Metropolitan United Church, only
a few blocks away from our original location. Please see
the revised invitation above for details, and please forward
this message to your friends. Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(2) MONTREAL PUBLIC MEMORIAL, Thurs Mar 25
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Montreal Public Memorial, Thurs Mar 25, 7pm
Cyclo Nord Sud, 7235 St. Urbain, Montreal.
Further details will be posted at www.greenspiration.org
and/or http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
Please check the above links to confirm details.
[topical links: Cyclo Nord Sud http://www.cyclonordsud.org
http://www.cyclonordsud.org/montreal.html
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Cycling/Commuting_and_Advocacy/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(3) WORLDWIDE CRITICAL MASS - FRIDAY MARCH 26
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the last Friday of every month, cyclists around the
world gather in groups of dozens, hundreds, or thousands
and take to the streets for a casual ride, with the motto
"We Aren't Blocking Traffic, We ARE Traffic."
The March 2004 Critical Mass ride, in many cities, has
been dedicated to our two-wheeled friend Tooker. On
March 26th, please join us as we carry on this vibrant
tradition that Tooker loved dearly. Let's make this the
biggest Mass Ride ever seen!
Activists across Canada have requested that people wear
black for this bike ride. We all know, however, that Tooker
rarely wore black and would probably want us to dress up
in costumes, as he did so often! SO, for those who want to
respect both wishes, we've come up with a list of black
costumes for you! Zorro, a penguin, Darth Vader, a nun,
the Shadow, Dracula, Cat Woman or some goth dude.
TORONTO meeting spot is at 6pm, downtown at
Yonge & Temperance (btwn. Richmond & Adelaide),
the last Friday of every month. For more info on the
Toronto ride, contact Geoff: gmacbride@hotmail.com
WORLDWIDE links to Critical Mass rides:
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Cycling/Commuting_and_Advocacy/Critical_Mass/
Photo: http://www.houseof3d.com/bike/massride/
Cycling and Sustainable, Healthy, Affordable Transportation
http://www.planetfriendly.net/living.html#transport
CRITICAL MASS is held the last Friday of every month
in towns and cities around the world. Cycle, skate or jog
to promote healthy, sustainable, alternative transport!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(4) HALIFAX MEMORIAL, date t.b.a.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There will be a gathering in Halifax, to be announced.
Further details will be posted at www.greenspiration.org
and/or http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(5) TOOKER IN VIDEO: WHAT HIS LIFE TAUGHT US
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, April 26th, 7pm
OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor W. at St. George
(near St. George subway)
Tooker lived much of his life in video. From the Burning of
his Passport in the Hague to locking himself in Ralph Klein's
safe. His life has been recorded on video to teach us what
community activism is all about and how it can change
the world. Come and meet Tooker.
Price: Free! Donations accepted to the Gomberg
memorial foundation. Info: Dan King 416-595-1782
A few Tooker videos are available on-line - go to:
http://www.greenspiration.org and click "watch our videos"
More links related to Tooker and video:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22tooker+gomberg%22+video
Film, Video & Documentary Links
http://www.planetfriendly.net/voices.html#filmvideo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(6) ON-LINE DISCUSSION, COMMUNITY, LINKS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whether or not you can attend the memorial, you can join
the many others whose lives were touched by Tooker, online.
A memorial discussion and announcements forum has
been created on the web. It's a place where you can read
about Tooker, his life and the many people he inspired.
Many have shared their memories and written inspiring
tributes.
You can also find links to Tooker's writings; hear about
upcoming memorials and events; and share your own
feelings and memories.
To visit the forum, go to www.planetfriendly.net
and click "Tooker Gomberg Discussion", near top right.
(Direct link: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/ )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(7) ON-LINE SUPPORT FORUMS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We've just created two on-line mutual-support forums/
discussions -- for activists, environmentalists and friends:
(1) ACTIVIST SUPPORT FORUM - A place to share your
worries, troubles, frustrations, fears - and offer others
much-needed feedback, support and inspiration:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
(2) CREATING STRONGER COMMUNITY - On-line Forum.
Share your thoughts and ideas on how to create stronger,
healthier community for activists, environmentalists and others:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(8) MEMORIAL FUNDS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two funds have been created, to support grassroots
ecological work in Canada, true to Tooker's ideals.
Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration Fund (charitable receipts issued)
or Tooker Gomberg Activist Fund (non-charitable)
If you cannot attend the Toronto Memorial,
you can mail contributions to:
P.O. Box 1242 Place du Parc Station,
Montreal, Quebec, H2X 4A7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tooker & Angela's Website:
http://www.greenspiration.org
Tooker Gomberg Discussion, Links, Community:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Take care of yourself and each other" - Tooker Gomberg
-This has been a special, one-time mailing to the
People- & Planet-Friendly list, www.planetfriendly.net
PEOPLE- & PLANET-FRIENDLY
bringing people together over ideas that matter
http://www.planetfriendly.net
mark calzavara
Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:38 pm Post subject: Remembering Tooker in Quebec City Reply with
quote
Today, I made a presentation about Tooker and his work to my french language class here in Quebec City.
Our assignment was to present a famous Quebecer to the class and I so I gave Tooker my best efforts en
français. I think Tooker represented well alongside Rene Levesque, Louise Arbour, Gabrielle Roy etc.
Everybody loved the couch on the street story.
If they don't have bikes in heaven yet, it can only be a matter of time.
Peace,
Mark
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geoff macbride
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:23 pm Post subject:
of course they have bikes in heaven!!!
Smile
cheers
geoff
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angela woodcock
Joined: 19 Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Reply with quote
PostPosted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:17 pm Post subject: thanks Mark! Reply with quote
I think Tooker would have gotten a kick out his stories being shared to your French Class-
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:32 pm Post subject: TOOKER IN VIDEO: What His Life Taught Us, Apr 26,
Toronto
Reply with quote
Tooker in Video: What His Life Taught Us
Monday, April 26th, 7pm
OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor W. at St. George (near St. George subway)
Tooker lived much of his life in video. From the Burning of his Passport in the Hague to locking himself in
Ralph Klein's safe. His life has been recorded on video to teach us what community activism is all about and
how it can change the world. Come and meet Tooker.
Price: Free! Donations accepted to the Gomberg memorial foundation.
Info: Dan King 416-595-1782
[Related Websites: www.greenspiration.org
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg ]
dorothyhenaut
Joined: 19 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 10:46 am Post subject: Think of Tooker as we march tomorrow
with quote
Reply
March 20, 2004 there will be marches all over the planet to remind the world that the Iraq occupation is
illegitimate, and that the people of the world want peaceful solutions to problems.
Canadians do not want Paul Martin to drag us into the Star Wars of our bullying neighbours to the south.
We want to show some independent leadership in planetary problem-solving.
Let's all get out and show Martin what we think. Then let's bug our local MPs too. The upcoming elections
are a great time to raise our progressive voices. What better way to remember Tooker than to dig in and do
some hard work?
My heart is so sad at our loss. Much love to Angela, and to our many activist movements.
dorothy hénaut, Montreal
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:49 am Post subject: posting events, alerts, announcements
with quote
Where to post events and announcements
Reply
Dorothy,
Thanks for the info. Links and more information on Saturday's events,
"The World Still Says No to War", can be found in the Calendar: www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/
www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/item.php?id=2306
www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/item.php?id=2375
I agree, Tooker would very much be wanting us to "keep up the good work". In general, though, I want to
discourage the posting of unrelated announcements, alerts, etc. to the memorial forum. Events should go
to the calendar www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/ . We also publish a directory of activist and
environmental calendars across Canada: www.planetfriendly.net/calendars.html Alerts can go to this new
forum: www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=17 and many e-mail lists. Jobs and volunteer
opportunities can go to GoodWork: www.planetfriendly.net/goodwork.html
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/
www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/
mez1
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:43 am Post subject: TORONTO MEMORIAL & CELEBRATION, Sun Mar 21,
more... Reply with quote
TOOKER GOMBERG - A Memorial and Celebration in Toronto
NEW LOCATION FOR TOOKER GOMBERG MEMORIAL & CELEBRATION
Due to the overwhelming amount of response & support that we have received in the past few days, we
have decided to move Sunday's gathering to a larger venue to comfortably accommodate greater numbers
than we had expected. The new location is the Metropolitan United Church, only a few blocks away from
our original location. Please see the revised invitation below for details, and please forward this message to
your friends. Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Tooker Gomberg Memorial and Celebration: March 21st
~ Critical Mass bike ride in honour of Tooker: March 26th
~ Online community, mutual support, links, print resources, more...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(1) TORONTO MEMORIAL & CELEBRATION, Sun Mar 21
~ an evening to remember a friend ~
The sudden passing of Tooker Gomberg leaves us saddened
and contemplative. One of Canada's most daring and
courageous political figures, Tooker was a friend,
co-conspirator and guiding light to so many of us.
A selfless trailblazer, Tooker's absence will be felt in
Canada's environmental, labour, social justice, human
rights, arts and music communities - and around the world.
We invite you to join in reflection, mourning and
celebration of such an exemplary writer, activist, politician,
videographer and comedian. Our thoughts and prayers
go out to Tooker's family and to Angela, his soulmate
of 17 years.
Sunday March 21st (the first day of Spring)
Metropolitan United Church
56 Queen Street East (at Church)
The Church will be open at 5:30, for catching up with friends,
posting photos and contributing to the Celebration Book.
The Memorial will begin at 6pm.
Please bring a bicycle bell and also feel free to
bring a photo of Tooker (that you can leave behind)
and a contribution for the Celebration Book (8.5 x 11)
contacts:
Shannon Thompson ~ shanee@look.ca
Dave Meslin ~ mez@publicspace.ca
If you'd like to help set-up before the memorial,
please arrive at 5pm. thanks.
There will be a gathering after the memorial.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tooker & Angela's Website: www.greenspiration.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(2) ONLINE DISCUSSION, COMMUNITY, LINKS
Whether or not you can attend the memorial, you can join
the many others whose lives were touched by Tooker, online.
A memorial discussion and announcements forum has
been created on the web. It's a place where you can read
about Tooker, his life and the many people he inspired.
You can also find links to Tooker's writings; hear about
upcoming memorials and events; and share your own
feelings and memories.
To visit the forum, go to www.planetfriendly.net
and click "Tooker Gomberg Discussion", near top right.
(Direct link: http://www.planetfriendly.net/tooker )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(3) MEMORIAL FUNDS
Two funds have been created, to support grassroots
ecological work in Canada, true to Tooker's ideals.
Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration Fund (charitable receipts issued)
or
Tooker Gomberg Activist Fund (non-charitable)
If you cannot attend the Toronto Memorial,
you can mail contributions to:
P.O. Box 1242 Place du Parc Station,
Montreal, Quebec, H2X 4A7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(4) CRITICAL MASS - FRIDAY MARCH 26th - 6pm
On the last Friday of every month, cyclists around the
world gather in groups of dozens, hundreds, or thousands
and take to the streets for a casual ride, with the motto
"We Aren't Blocking Traffic, We ARE Traffic."
The March 2004 Critical Mass ride, in many cities, has
been dedicated to our two-wheeled friend Tooker. On
March 26th, please join us as we carry on this vibrant
tradition that Tooker loved dearly.
The meeting spot is at 6pm, at Yonge & Temperance
(between Richmond & Adelaide)
Activists across Canada have requested that people wear
black for this bike ride. We all know, however, that Tooker
rarely wore black and would probably want us to dress up
in costumes, as he did so often! SO, for those who want to
respect both wishes, we've come up with a list of black
costumes for you! Zorro, a penguin, Darth Vader, a nun,
the Shadow, Dracula, Cat Woman or some goth dude.
Let's make this the biggest Mass Ride Toronto has ever
seen!
For more info, contact Geoff: gmacbride@hotmail.com
Links to Critical Mass rides worldwide:
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Cycling/Commuting_and_Advocacy/Critical_Mass/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(5) TRIBUTE FOR TOOKER
Tooker had faith in life: that the earth will sustain us if we sustain it.
Tooker had faith in people: that we could do better.
He had faith in community: that the city could be a caring and healthful place.
The city must be part of the ecosystem, not a burden.
To be sustainable, our economics must nurture life, not harm it.
He fought for global justice.
On all fronts, he was a man of peace.
I shall remember Tooker for his love of life.
As a friend, he is like the trees he cherished.
He planted seeds among us.
He harboured life, and does still.
The tree falls, but is ever renewing.
The tree is not separate from life, and cannot be separated.
The tree, and Tooker, are life's gift.
The tree, the spider's web, the butterfly... All things are one.
A sacred mystery.
Our separation is an illusion.
Grief lies in appearances, and both will pass.
Life is eternal.
In our hearts, Tooker remains. .
~ Geoffrey Pounder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(6) TOOKER MEMORIAL ZINE
We're trying to compile a zine to hand out at the memorial.
Please send submissions of poems, inspiring quotes
or art by Friday March 19th, 12 noon.
Send submissions to lindsay@resist.ca
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(7) ONLINE SUPPORT FORUMS
We've just created two on-line mutual-support forums/
discussions -- for activists, environmentalists and friends:
(1) ACTIVIST SUPPORT FORUM - A place to share your
worries, troubles, frustrations, fears - and offer others
much-needed feedback, support and inspiration:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
(2) CREATING STRONGER COMMUNITY - On-line Forum.
Share your thoughts and ideas on how to create stronger,
healthier community for activists, environmentalists and others:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tooker & Angela's Website: http://www.greenspiration.org
Discussion, Links, Community: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Kathy Hind
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:47 am Post subject: travel companions from Hamilton on Sunday night
Reply with quote
I'm coming to the gathering in Toronto on Sunday night from Hamilton. I'm a friend of Tooker's and Angela's
from Edmonton and I'd like to connect with some of the Hamilton people who may be travelling back that
night. Sit together on the bus? I'm at 905-745-6333 or kahind@yahoo.com
Kathy
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 2:29 pm Post subject: revised Toronto location
[Moderator's note - the above posting was revised today - pb]
mez
Reply with quote
Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Location: toronto
PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 1:10 pm Post subject: NEW LOCATION FOR TORONTO MEMORIAL &
CELEBRATION Reply with quote
TOOKER GOMBERG - A Memorial and Celebration in Toronto
NEW LOCATION FOR TOOKER GOMBERG MEMORIAL & CELEBRATION
Due to the overwhelming amount of response & support that
we have received in the past few days, we have decided to
move Sunday's gathering to a larger venue to comfortably
accommodate greater numbers than we had expected.
The new location is the Metropolitan United Church, only
a few blocks away from our original location. Please see
the revised invitation below for details, and please forward
this message to your friends. Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Tooker Gomberg Memorial and Celebration: March 21st
~ Critical Mass bike ride in honour of Tooker: March 26th
~ Online community, mutual support, links, print resources, more...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(1) TORONTO MEMORIAL & CELEBRATION, Sun Mar 21
~ an evening to remember a friend ~
The sudden passing of Tooker Gomberg leaves us saddened
and contemplative. One of Canada's most daring and
courageous political figures, Tooker was a friend,
co-conspirator and guiding light to so many of us.
A selfless trailblazer, Tooker's absence will be felt in
Canada's environmental, labour, social justice, human
rights, arts and music communities - and around the world.
We invite you to join in reflection, mourning and
celebration of such an exemplary writer, activist, politician,
videographer and comedian. Our thoughts and prayers
go out to Tooker's family and to Angela, his soulmate
of 17 years.
Sunday March 21st (the first day of Spring)
Metropolitan United Church
56 Queen Street East (at Church)
The Church will be open at 5:30, for catching up with friends,
posting photos and contributing to the Celebration Book.
The Memorial will begin at 6pm.
Please bring a bicycle bell and also feel free to
bring a photo of Tooker (that you can leave behind)
and a contribution for the Celebration Book (8.5 x 11)
contacts:
Shannon Thompson ~ shanee@look.ca
Dave Meslin ~ mez@publicspace.ca
If you'd like to help set-up before the memorial,
please arrive at 5pm. thanks.
There will be a gathering after the memorial.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tooker & Angela's Website: www.greenspiration.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(2) ONLINE DISCUSSION, COMMUNITY, LINKS
Whether or not you can attend the memorial, you can join
the many others whose lives were touched by Tooker, online.
A memorial discussion and announcements forum has
been created on the web. It's a place where you can read
about Tooker, his life and the many people he inspired.
You can also find links to Tooker's writings; hear about
upcoming memorials and events; and share your own
feelings and memories.
To visit the forum, go to www.planetfriendly.net
and click "Tooker Gomberg Discussion", near top right.
(Direct link: http://www.planetfriendly.net/tooker )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(3) MEMORIAL FUNDS
Two funds have been created, to support grassroots
ecological work in Canada, true to Tooker's ideals.
Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration Fund (charitable receipts issued)
or
Tooker Gomberg Activist Fund (non-charitable)
If you cannot attend the Toronto Memorial,
you can mail contributions to:
P.O. Box 1242 Place du Parc Station,
Montreal, Quebec, H2X 4A7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(4) CRITICAL MASS - FRIDAY MARCH 26th - 6pm
On the last Friday of every month, cyclists around the
world gather in groups of dozens, hundreds, or thousands
and take to the streets for a casual ride, with the motto
"We Aren't Blocking Traffic, We ARE Traffic."
The March 2004 Critical Mass ride, in many cities, has
been dedicated to our two-wheeled friend Tooker. On
March 26th, please join us as we carry on this vibrant
tradition that Tooker loved dearly.
The meeting spot is at 6pm, at Yonge & Temperance
(between Richmond & Adelaide)
Activists across Canada have requested that people wear
black for this bike ride. We all know, however, that Tooker
rarely wore black and would probably want us to dress up
in costumes, as he did so often! SO, for those who want to
respect both wishes, we've come up with a list of black
costumes for you! Zorro, a penguin, Darth Vader, a nun,
the Shadow, Dracula, Cat Woman or some goth dude.
Let's make this the biggest Mass Ride Toronto has ever
seen!
For more info, contact Geoff: gmacbride@hotmail.com
Links to Critical Mass rides worldwide:
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Cycling/Commuting_and_Advocacy/Critical_Mass/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(5) TRIBUTE FOR TOOKER
Tooker had faith in life: that the earth will sustain us if we sustain it.
Tooker had faith in people: that we could do better.
He had faith in community: that the city could be a caring and healthful place.
The city must be part of the ecosystem, not a burden.
To be sustainable, our economics must nurture life, not harm it.
He fought for global justice.
On all fronts, he was a man of peace.
I shall remember Tooker for his love of life.
As a friend, he is like the trees he cherished.
He planted seeds among us.
He harboured life, and does still.
The tree falls, but is ever renewing.
The tree is not separate from life, and cannot be separated.
The tree, and Tooker, are life's gift.
The tree, the spider's web, the butterfly... All things are one.
A sacred mystery.
Our separation is an illusion.
Grief lies in appearances, and both will pass.
Life is eternal.
In our hearts, Tooker remains. .
~ Geoffrey Pounder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(6) TOOKER MEMORIAL ZINE
We're trying to compile a zine to hand out at the memorial.
Please send submissions of poems, inspiring quotes
or art by Friday March 19th, 12 noon.
Send submissions to lindsay@resist.ca
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(7) ONLINE SUPPORT FORUMS
We've just created two on-line mutual-support forums/
discussions -- for activists, environmentalists and friends:
(1) ACTIVIST SUPPORT FORUM - A place to share your
worries, troubles, frustrations, fears - and offer others
much-needed feedback, support and inspiration:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
(2) CREATING STRONGER COMMUNITY - On-line Forum.
Share your thoughts and ideas on how to create stronger,
healthier community for activists, environmentalists and others:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tooker & Angela's Website: http://www.greenspiration.org
Discussion, Links, Community: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
fireweed
Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Calgary
PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject: Tooker's walk
Tooker's walk
Reply with quote
Tooker Gomberg may have died, but from my perspective, he has rejoined the Earth he loved.
I once had the opportunity to walk with Tooker, alone, in the wilderness foothills of southern Alberta. There
were no cars in sight, no roads, there were no computers, no politicians. Though it was a peaceful stroll, I
felt that Tooker was not comfortable.
Despite the wilderness respite, he knew there was much work to be done.
When we finished our walk, our talk, we went in different directions. And that is what life is about, doing
good work in whatever direction one chooses. I beamed when I heard Tooker speak live on radio from the
bosom of Ralph Klein’s vault.
I cannot accept that Tooker took his life. No. He shared his life for the betterment of all.
Kevin Hamilton
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 3:40 pm Post subject: Tooker's inspiration will live on!
Reply with
quote
Tooker was everything any activist could ever hope to be. He stood up for what he believed in and was
unwavering even in the face of police and possible detention or jail time. On so many occasions when most
of us would leave an action in the face of authorities, Tooker would stand his ground and inspire almost
everyone around him. His dedication, his immense love for this planet and everyones well being on it and
his enormous presence will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him and by mother earth herself.
It is truly a sad day for the world and all its inhabitants and my deepest regards go out to everyone who
mourns the lost of one of the most dedicated activists I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. His inspiration
will live on through our stories of him and he will continue to inspire me to push on in the overwhelming
face of the adversity that is life.
I think we should all try to plan some proactive and fun street theatre in the memory of Tooker! It would be
fun to tape such actions and put together a short film about street theatre and dedicate it to Tooker!
In unison for the earth,
Kevin
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kurtklingbeil
Joined: 17 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 4:07 pm Post subject: To Tooker, To Twoker
I went to the memorial in Riverdale Hall this Monday.
It was so beautiful, so great, so simple, so powerful!
I'm still in awe at just how great a man Tooker was.
Hearing people tell their Tooker stories & memories was
like seeing the tip I knew grow into the immensity of
an iceberg lifting out of the sea.
I'm psyching myself up, and figuring out how to answer
the call to carry forth Tooker's spirit and creativity.
I've been emotionally disfunctional for quite a while,
so my responses and reactions are often off the mark,
but FWIW, maybe, especially to someone in similar shoes,
my current rationalization:
- Eternal hope and optimism without a healthy dose
of protective cynicism and anger is unsustainable.
Reply with quote
- Tooker's had his share of mortal fun,
and done his share of mortal work.
He's earned a rest. (But I don't picture him
resting if there's ass to kick in the afterlife.)
- A seed must die to bring forth new life.
If Tooker's death spurs a bunch of us to
venture into action, inspired by his life,
then that is a good thing.
If even one (but I'm hoping for two) shining
star emerges, to be the next seed, then
that will be a very good thing.
- To Tooker, Thanks!
To Twoker, Be strong, take your time, but don't dawdle, eh!
denis
Joined: 17 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:00 pm Post subject: inspired to act
Reply with quote
In the fall of 2000 is when I met Tooker, when he was running for mayor of toronto and protesting the
Adams Mine waste proposal. His energy was contagious and inspirational. i sat beside him in City hall
holding up protest signs and handed out Gomberg for mayor flyers.
It was his energy that inspired me to run in the federal election that ran at the same time. He made an
activist and politician out of me.
I moved to halifax in August to go to school and ran into Tooker downtown. He was on his bike at the corner
of Blowers and Barrington. I saw him and said "Hey, are you Tooker Gomberg?" He smiled and responded
yes. I said that I'm from Toronto and helped hand out flyers for him during the election. I think it was his 1st
day in Halifax, cause he asked me where the Ecology Action Centre was, (where Angela works). I took him to
the centre, enjoying our conversation on the way there. When we got there he suggested I come sit in on a
meeting, and so I did.
I ran into him once again at the market in halifax and often saw he and Angela biking around, including
many times on the MacDonald Bridge, which i pass everyday. It was unbeleivable to me when I heard of his
death. His energy will continue across this country in the many people he has influenced.
peace.
wordsmith
Joined: 11 Mar 2004
Posts: 3
PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:41 pm Post subject: Bicycle bell farewell for respected activist
with quote
Bicycle bell farewell for respected activist
Reply
Mike Sadava
The Edmonton Journal
www.edmontonjournal.com
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
photo captions & credits:
Tooker Gomberg
CREDIT: Larry Wong, The Journal
Angela Bischoff rings a bicycle bell at a memorial for her husband Tooker Gomberg who went missing last
week in Halifax. The bell is from their wedding.
CREDIT: Shaughn Butts, The Journal
EDMONTON - Mourners said goodbye to Tooker Gomberg with four rings of a bicycle bell.
More than 500 of the former city councillor's friends, family members, neighbours, one-time council
colleagues and fellow activists attended a memorial service Tuesday at City Hall.
Gomberg, 48, was suffering from depression and is presumed dead after his bicycle and helmet were found
on a bridge in Halifax nearly two weeks ago.
His wife, Angela Bischoff, rang the same bell the couple rang when they got married in a Riverdale park
nearly 10 years ago.
Gomberg and Bischoff cycled everywhere together, going as far as Vietnam, China and Cuba in their neverending effort to make the world a greener and more peaceful place.
"What a ride we had together," said Bischoff, who travelled from Halifax for the service. "Year after year we
described our relationship as one that just kept getting better and better."
Lt.-Gov. Lois Hole, who wasn't scheduled to speak but asked to say a few words, said it would be good if
there were more politicians like Gomberg, who lived by his beliefs.
"His methods may have been unconventional, but his sincerity was beyond reproach," Hole said.
Patricia Hartnagel, a longtime leader of the peace movement in Edmonton, praised Gomberg for always
being able to see the big picture, especially the connection between peace and the environment. Gomberg
formed a peace camp in front of Canada Place to protest the first Gulf War in 1991.
"It's tough being an activist in this province," Hartnagel said. "He was right and we all knew it, but he's the
one who had the courage to do it."
She said Gomberg brought together grey-haired activists and young people, with his "in-your-face style that
could either turn you right off, make you shake your head, laugh out loud, or sometimes all three at once."
People who attended the service said they were influenced by Gomberg, whether they were fighting for
water conservation or against the sale of Edmonton Telephones.
George Brohman, who had his own problems with depression years ago, said Gomberg was a friend who
got him a work experience position with the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters.
Local activist Scott Harris, who worked with Gomberg on a number of projects, said it was amazing how
many people across the country knew Gomberg.
"Everyone in the activist community in Canada was one degree of separation from Tooker," he said.
Avi Gomberg recalled how his older brother would talk to anyone he met in his travels, whether or not he
knew the language.
"You led by example and you will continue to lead us and inspire us. Tu es parmi nous -- you are among us."
msadava@thejournal.canwest.com
© The Edmonton Journal 2004
http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=7e122880-0df2-4fbf-b533a52e9165c381
- please note these news stories are not permanent links
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:55 am Post subject: IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT THIS FORUM - from the
moderator
Reply with quote
IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT THIS FORUM
Hello all,
It seems a prankster has been amongst us. An anonymous person
with a very unusual sense of humour. Three postings have been
removed: "Micmac Curse", "Tookered" and "Self-Medicated". All
three were misleading or inappropriate to one extent or another.
From now on, there are two easy ways to post a message:
(1) REGISTER -- create yourself a free account on the forum.
To do so, just click "Register", at top right. If you come back
later to post again, click "Log in". To register, all you need is
an e-mail account. Privacy concerns: Your e-mail address will
not be visible to others (unless you manually type it into
your message or signature). You do not need to provide
any personal information, just leave it blank. You can even
use a pseudonym if you like. But if necessary, the moderator
might contact you by e-mail to verify your posting.
or (2) E-MAIL your message to people@planetfriendly.net
and I will post it on your behalf. Please put "Tooker Forum"
in the subject line, so I don't miss it. It might take me a day
or two before I get it onto the forum.
Viewing of messages will be the same as before.
You do not need to register or log in.
Thank you for all your wonderful postings so far. I look forward
to seeing more, as the conversation continues to evolve!
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
Tooker Gomberg Memorial Discussion Forum
Homepage: www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
Welcome: www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=58
Lorelei
Joined: 12 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 5:13 pm Post subject: A song for Angela and all who grieve for Tooker.
Reply with quote
ODE TO A LOCAL HERO
I can't remember when or where I met Tooker Gomberg. I think it was in the late eighties at a time when I
was working on my university degree and involved in things like the Women's Centre on campus and the
Global Visions Film Festival. Or perhaps it was about the time Jessica Schoenberg and I were doing benefit
performances for the Edmonton Sexual Assault Centre and the Bissel Centre. Certainly, it was at a time
when I believed in fighting for the causes of my choice, and when I hoped that the world at large cared. It
was at a time when grassroots activism and folk music in Edmonton seemed very much impassioned and
alive, when song gatherings with the likes of Jennifer Gibson and Maria Dunn took place at the Golden
Lentil, one of the houses belonging to the Assiniboia Co-op.
Fifteen years later, I find myself living in Saudi Arabia, at a distance from the city of my birth and from my
homeland. However, if anything, it is this distance which has made me more patriotic in a sense, despite my
being more of a citizen of the world, more global and informed in my outlook. I feel more aware of just
what we enjoy in Canada and of what we take for granted without knowing it,
I remember Tooker and Angela's (or was it just Tooker's?) cycling trip through Cuba. I remember also feeling
a tad bit cynical about some of the "reports" that came to one of the local arts publications. I'd been to
Cuba. I'd seen the poverty. For some reason, it felt a little idealistic to portray that country in such a positive
light, insofar as transportation was concerned. For I was deeply troubled by the fact that doctors there
made the equivalent of $15 a month, while a security guard I met made $8 American a month. Never mind.
I think the truth is I was jealous that here was a man (Tooker) living out his dream and doing so in such
creative ways.
Life takes us down paths we least expect sometimes. You never know where you're going to end up. And to
that end, I believe it is good to live from your heart and to live with conviction and to seek compassion in
relationships with self, others, and the environment. On some level, Tooker is a person who instilled in me a
desire and dream to see the world. I'm doing that and hope in some way I've deepened my commitment
also to make a difference in the lives of some who are, on some level, oppressed. My best friend is a Saudi
woman, and through her eyes and my experiences after having been here almost eight years, I've come to
know Saudi/Arab culture well. This is at a time when the world seems almost to have gone mad -- 9/11 and
Iraq War, not to mention Spain's recent train bombings. When the time is right, I will speak about my
learnings. For now, it is Tooker's death that gives me pause to think about whether or not I am as focused as
I should be in my efforts. I think not and resolve to do better.
So, I cried today when I checked online and read that Tooker had taken his own life. What an irony. What a
loss for us all. I am reminded of something a German friend who is married to a Palestinian man here said to
me once: It would be a terrible thing if we were all the same. It would be a terrible thing if the world was
perfect. There would be nothing to strive for. It would be boring. I haven't the eloquence of my friend, but
what comes to mind is my gratitude to Tooker for his willingness to put himself out there in his very
individual way. Some were entertained. Some were annoyed. But no doubt -- all paid attention to his social
action theatre and his other methods for affecting change. And he did make a difference. He gave hope to
those who sided with his ideals. He gave pause to those who thought they could marginalize people or our
environment. A quick scan of several websites shows me that he and Angela and their friends and
colleagues accomplished a great deal. It is fitting to feel the loss, then, and to pause on what there is to
learn from this.
Suicide is a tragic thing. I've been there. I've relied on support from friends and from strangers on distress
lines more often that I can count. I've written a song about it, because after coming to this country where
there is no support, where I had to learn other ways of coping with my depression, I finally made some sort
of peace with myself and my strengths and my frailties. I can relate to the heart and mind of a person who is
suicidal, and this would be the first time I've publicly said this. For some time, I've wanted to reach out and
say: you don't have to be alone. Reach for someone, anyone. And for the rest of us, in our busy, busy lives -and forgive me for making this assumption -- in the West -- in cultures where community is something we
have to work at, because "family" isn't always there and present and defined, whatever it is -- may we all
learn to give more and to see better, to give unconditionally, and to insist that even when we are at odds
with one another, we are never not united. My Saudi friend once said to me, "Take 'space' and you create
space in the heart." Let us be closer to our loved ones even when we or they are troubled.
And so, let me offer up the story of a song I wrote that would be relevant to share under the circumstances.
Last year, when a former student wrote to tell me her mother had died of cancer, and Leila (in her early
twenties) would have to learn to knit a sweater, not just mittens or a scarf, because this grief, this loss was
too big, something opened up in me. At the same time, Elizabeth Smart had been found alive in Utah, nine
months after her abduction from her own bed. 9/11 and the loss of so many people including policemen
and firemen had long been playing on my mind. A song came about this inevitable truth--that we're all
going to die someday. Death is an unsettling fact of life to most of us. At a time when Tooker's loved ones
must miss him terribly, I hope these words offer some comfort.
SOME OF US © 2003, Lorelei L o v e r i d g e, SOCAN
Some of us leave too soon
Leave behind the sun and the moon
Some of us fly when we're ready
Strong to the end, steady
Some of us cry 'til we're blind
Lost and alone, left behind
Some of us pray to God and say
"How could you take them away?"
LOVE, THERE'S AN ANSWER
ACROSS THE OCEAN AND THE SKY
ACROSS THE EMPTY ABYSS, LOVE
THERE'S NO NEED FOR GOODBYE
WE ARE ONE
Some of us die heroes
Some--nobody knows
Some of us go holding the hands
Of a loved one who understands
Some of us are taken in the night
Unwilling, we put up a fight
Some of us crash our cars and burn
Some of us pray for our turn
BUT, LOVE, THERE'S AN ANSWER
ACROSS THE OCEAN AND THE SKY
ACROSS THE EMPTY ABYSS, LOVE
THERE'S NO NEED FOR GOODBYE
WE ARE ONE
Just reach for me and I'll reach for you
Think of me and I'll think of you
Laugh with me and I'll laugh with you
Be with me. . .
LOVE, THERE'S AN ANSWER
ACROSS THE OCEAN AND THE SKY
ACROSS THE EMPTY ABYSS, LOVE
THERE'S NO NEED FOR GOODBYE
WE ARE ONE
The song is available for free download on my website to all who would like to hear it. My deepest
condolences to Angela and to family and friends who knew Tooker Gomberg intimately. I met the man
once, I believe, and his life mattered to me.
LoreleiLoveridge
OrderlyBazaarRecords&Publishing
www(dot)orderlybazaar(dot)com
Last edited by Lorelei on Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:12 am; edited 3 times in total
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 3:37 pm Post subject: Prose my friend Barnett wrote in ode to Tooker
Reply with quote
this communication arose from a series of discussions i had with rusl
and jane(Pedal Revolutionary Radio Show***) last week.
i've taken the liberty of editing for redundancy and personal references.
i decided to"come out" in honor of a man that lived the spirit.
to tooker.
Barnett (pianoscum@hotmail.com )
****************************************
i am a peace soldier.
i've dedicated my life,my heart,and my honor to the
proposition that all humans are created equal.
indeed, all that lives.
our guiding principal is what would the heart do in any situation.our
harshest weapons are our minds,and in many cases a big mouth!the only lines of authority in the peace
army are the lines of respect.any officers which exist in the p.a.[and there's debate over that point]are
"appointed" by those who would be lead.
while itS neither necessary,nor according to
some even desirable to do so,some of us occasionally place ourselves at
personal risk while"on maneuvers".
our roles in the p.a. are self-chosen.
our missions are always and only voluntary.not to say that some might exert considerable moral pressure
on another to gain consent for one thing or another.
we have our tantrums.
my chosen role is the lone crier,and i have chosen to
place myself at risk for situations i deem important.
*********************************************
*** Listen to Pedal Revolutionary Bike Radio! ***
Every other Thursday, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.,
on CiTR 101.9 FM(Vancouver)
News about bike civic politics, chopper bikes, legal issues, bike
maintenance, culture, fun and of course Critical Mass. Your Hosts: Chain
Breaker Jane, DJ Helmut Hair, and Riff Sailor.
For more information: spam---->@bikesexual..(nospamplease)..org,
http://www.monkeywrenchcafe.org/cm/radio
Listen live over the Internet: http://www.ams.ubc.ca/citr/live.htm
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Kathy Hind
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:56 am Post subject: thanks Lorelei
Reply with quote
Reading your letter made me reflect about those times in Edmonton and the huge web of people who were
connected through women's issues, peace stuff, arts and music and local environmental concerns. I knew
Tooker from the early 80's. I have strong memories of participating in mass bike rides, wearing his tie-tshirts as part of his campaign, meeting to discuss sewage sludge/compost alternatives....
I really appreciated your sharing of the song...
Kathy
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Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:13 pm Post subject: Thanks for sharing what has come up for you. Reply
with quote
I appreciate that. In fact, I've never met you -- not that I am aware of. But how many times have I heard
your name in conversations with friends, because of the work you did/do? Many. It's been an interesting
week, reflecting on choices and how they can result in the taking for granted of certain things, the letting go
of others, the valuing of still others.
Be well.
Lorelei
pbenner
Guest
PostPosted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 11:33 pm Post subject: so long, tooker
Hi:
Reply with quote
This is Peter Benner from Morninglory Farm. I had the honour of living and working with Tooker here at
Morninglory Farm in Killaloe last summer and fall. I believe they really benefited from being able to live fully
off the grid and experience the lifestyle they had been teaching for so long!
He and Angela Bischoff were a joy and inspiration to our little community and it was lovely to see them
experience the off-grid lifestyle they had been preaching about for so long.
Tooker was often irreverent and outrageous in his style, but it was a fun approach to activism that will
always inspire and guide me in my drive towards sustainability and communicating that message to others.
I will continue to remember and be guided by Tooker and his irreverent, fun approach to sustainability.
Cheers to you, Tooker!
Love,
Peter
Morninglory Farm
Killaloe
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Rick Reimer
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:07 am Post subject: Tooker Gomberg
Reply with quote
Rick Reimer writing from Killaloe Ontario.
I didn't know Tooker for long, but was impressed by his commitment and tenacity. At a social justice
workshop last year at the Killaloe Fair, Tooker admonished that we all must be prepared to go to jail now
and again (as Thoreau and Gomberg did) to stand up for our rights. Bless you, Tooker and bless you also,
Angela.
bloomfield
Joined: 15 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:14 am Post subject: inspired by tooker in halifax Reply with quote
Tooker in Halifax
I remember learning that Tooker and Angela were moving to Halifax, and feeling such hope for what lay
ahead. In the months that he was here, Tooker continued his activism, his brilliant way of challenging
people and society into thinking and maybe, just maybe assuming some of the responsibility that he took
on, to change the world. While it was clear that he was struggling with depression, he never ceased to be an
inspiration or offer up new and creative ideas.
His death brings home, all too poignantly, the importance of support and reaching out - when we are all
busy with protests, policy comments, public meetings, bike rides, letter writing, whatever vehicle each of us
has chosen to effect social change.
I think that many of us in Halifax are still in shock. It is wonderful to read the tributes and thoughts from
across the country and get to know more about Tookers past. It is hard to believe that he is gone. That I
won't see him riding along with Angela, or run into him in the offices of the Ecology Action Centre. But his
spirit lives on, and his commitment will not be forgotten.
We will be riding in honor of Tooker on March 26th at the Critical Mass ride, hopefully Halifax's biggest
ever. While others are wearing black, I think that we shall all wear something green, green for
greenspiration, green for spring and green for the hope that Tooker embodied.
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:51 am Post subject: the importance of support and reaching out Reply
with quote
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories of Tooker in Halifax.
Quote:
His death brings home, all too poignantly, the importance
of support and reaching out - when we are all busy with protests,
policy comments, public meetings, bike rides, letter writing,
whatever vehicle each of us has chosen to effect social change.
Whether or not Tooker could have been helped by stronger community, I feel strongly that there are many
if not all of us who would benefit, as well as the "movement" as a whole.
Please join us and share your thoughts and ideas in these forums:
Creating Stronger Community – links, resources,
ideas and discussion how to create stronger community
for activists, environmentalists and everyone who cares
about creating a better world...
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
Activist Support Forum – Share your worries, troubles and
fears – or offer others some feedback, support and inspiration.
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
– Peter Blanchard
people@planetfriendly.net
www.planetfriendly.net
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 10:14 am Post subject: EXCELLENT TRIBUTE ARTICLES in Now, Eye,
elsewhere...
Reply with quote
Tributes to Tooker in Toronto's Now and Eye Magazines
Artistry in Activism – by Loic Jounot, Now, Mar 11
www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2004-03-11/news_story3.php
"he was the grain of sand that stopped the machine"
What Tooker Taught Us – Editorial, Eye Weekly, Mar 11
www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_03.11.04/op/editorial.html
"most astonishing of all, he managed to get things done"
Farewell, Tooker – by Wayne Roberts, Now, Mar 11
www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2004-03-11/news_story2.php
"master stuntman, writer and policy wonk was greenspiration to us all"
Many more tributes can be found on this discussion forum:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=19
Tooker's previous writings and news in Now and Eye Magazine
www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.nowtoronto.com+%22tooker+gomberg%22
www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Awww.eye.net+%22tooker+gomberg%22
For more of Tooker's writings and news articles, see...
Tooker's Writings, Links, News, Pictures...
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 12:20 am Post subject: more tribute articles Reply with quote
More Tributes & Articles
Activist Gomberg Remembered
Linda Gyulai, Montreal Gazette, Mon Mar 8, 2004
"Ecologist made his mark in Montreal" full story
Environmental Activist Gomberg Missing
Mike Sadava, Edmonton Journal, Sat Mar 6, 2004
"a thorn in the side to some politicians" full story
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
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Peter Blanchard
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Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:46 am Post subject: more tributes and articles Reply with quote
More Tributes & Articles
Mother Earth never had a better friend
by Rebecca O'Brien. March 13, 2004
"nobody walked the talk like he did"
http://www.rabble.ca/in_her_own_words.shtml?x=30913
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:28 pm Post subject: Toronto memorial & event planning, meetings,
ideas... Reply with quote
TORONTO memorial & event planning
In Toronto, friends and admirers of Tooker are planning
ways to "commemorate and celebrate everything that
Tooker was, did, and loved". The first meeting was on Sunday.
If you'd like to help organize, contact mez at this address:
dmeslin@on.ndp.ca --> please put a {tooker} prefix in
the subject line, so it doesn't get lost.
NEXT MEETING: Friday 12th, 4:30, Labour Lyceum,
33 Cecil Street (south of College, east of Spadina).
Below is an excerpt from the notes of the Mar 7 gathering.
Feel free to use these ideas in other cities...
- Peter Blanchard
A plan of action for a man of action
SIX MAIN IDEAS
(1) "RITUAL" - Shannon's taking the lead on this. Small,
intimate, participatory. Sometime next week, once Angela
has joined us. Send ideas to Shannon.
(2) "MEMORIAL" - Mez is central contact for this, group had
long brainstorm. (*Tentative* date: Sun Mar 21, 6 or 7pm)
Speakers (incl. friends, activists, environmentalists,
journalists, politicians); music; prayer; booklet on depression;
video excerpt; social gathering.
(3) "ACTION" - Creative, Fun, Bold (like Tooker). Plan:
Friday March 26th, with Critical Mass. Brainstorm meeting
on Wednesday 10th, at Bridges for Youth, 290 Jarvis.
(4) "MOVIE NIGHT" - An evening screening of Tooker's videos.
Kelly will co-ordinate with Mez & others. Not urgent.
Maybe during the summer. Bloor Cinema. 800 people.
This would be a fundraiser for #5:
(5) "FUND/FOUNDATION" - A way to turn Tooker's energy into
perpetual motion. I think we can raise A LOT of money in
Tooker's name, and then give money each year to young people
with enviro projects or indy-media projects. We need to
work with Angela on this. We should have something ready
for the Memorial. Shannon suggested going through the
Toronto Community Foundation.
(6) PERMANENT MEMORIAL - Park? Bike Sculpture? Bike Path?
This is also a summer project. We will have lots of support
from City Council.
That's it folks. That's a lot to organise in two short
weeks. Let's make Tooker proud.
mez
dmeslin@on.ndp.ca
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter Blanchard adds . . .
Please post all related events and public memorials:
(a) as a reply to this message, and
(b) on the People- & Planetfriendly Calendar:
www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/
(If timing allows, we'll include what you've
posted in the next P&PF e-mail newsletter).
Last edited by Peter Blanchard on Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:48 am; edited 1 time in total
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Boo
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 4:06 pm Post subject: Toronto Memorial and Event Planning
with quote
I would like to suggest commissioning Marcella and James from
OBJEKT LAB, if they're still creating, to do a sculpture as at least
part of the permanent memorial.
Boo Watson
Reply
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Saul Chernos
Guest
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 10:32 am Post subject: thoughts and ideas for toronto memorials and
events Reply with quote
The shock at losing Tooker will be long felt here.
Perhaps the most appropriate memorial would be to hold a
demonstration of some kind, perhaps synthesizing several
issues Tooker (and the rest of us) cared about. Poverty
(homelessness), environment (bicycles) and peace (iraq) are
three that come immediately to mind. Combining Queens park,
city hall and the US consulate might be appropriate.
He was really pushed around at City Hall during last year's
peace camp. David Miller, one of the few councillors who
I recall supporting the camp, is now mayor, and the Tories
are of course replaced by a kindler, gentler evil at Queens Park.
The U.S. is still occupying the consulate building.
Tooker's death also says something else to me: Activists need
to support each other. I'll bet there's a lot more depression
going around - activism is tough work, and a lot of people
are riding the front lines.
- Saul Chernos
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mez
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:14 am Post subject: Tooker Gomberg - A Memorial and Celebration in
Toronto
Reply with quote
TOOKER GOMBERG - A Memorial and Celebration in Toronto
~ Tooker Gomberg Memorial and Celebration: March 21st
~ Critical Mass bike ride in honour of Tooker: March 26th
~ Online community, mutual support, links, print resources, more...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO MEMORIAL & CELEBRATION, Sun Mar 21
~ an evening to remember a friend ~
The sudden passing of Tooker Gomberg leaves us saddened
and contemplative. One of Canada's most daring and
courageous political figures, Tooker was a friend, coconspirator and guiding light to so many of us. A selfless
trailblazer, Tooker's absence will be felt in Canada's
environmental, labour, social justice, human rights, arts
and music communities - and around the world.
We invite you to join in reflection, mourning and
celebration of such an exemplary writer, activist, politician,
videographer and comedian. Our thoughts and prayers
go out to Tooker's family and to Angela, his soulmate
of 17 years.
Sunday March 21st (the first day of Spring)
Church of the Holy Trinity
10 Trinity Square (behind the Eaton's Center, off Bay Street)
The Church will be open at 5:30, for catching up with
friends, posting photos and contributing to the
Celebration Book.
The Memorial will begin at 6pm.
Tooker was a man of props, so we need you to bring stuff!
Bring a candle (preferably made from bees wax), please
bring a bicycle bell, bring a photo of Tooker (that you can
leave behind), bring a contribution for the Celebration
Book (8.5 x 11), feel free to bring finger foods to share
with others (vegetarian, organic please), and if you think
you might be comfortable sitting on the floor, bring a
pillow! There won’t be enough seats for everyone.
Thank you.
contacts:
Shannon Thompson ~ shanee@look.ca
Dave Meslin ~ mez@publicspace.ca
If you’d like to help set-up before the memorial, please
arrive at 5pm. thanks.
There will be a gathering after the memorial.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tooker & Angela's Website: http://www.greenspiration.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ONLINE DISCUSSION, COMMUNITY, LINKS
Whether or not you can attend the memorial, you can join
the many others whose lives were touched by Tooker,
online.
A memorial discussion and announcements forum has been
created on the web. It's a place where you can read about
Tooker, his life and the many people he inspired.
You can also find links to Tooker's writings; hear about
upcoming memorials and events; and share your own
feelings and memories.
To visit the forum, go to http://www.planetfriendly.net and
click "Tooker Gomberg Discussion", near top right.
(Direct link: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MEMORIAL FUNDS
Two funds have been created, to support grassroots
ecological work in Canada, true to Tooker's ideals.
Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration Fund (charitable receipts
issued) or Tooker Gomberg Activist Fund (non-charitable)
If you cannot attend the Toronto Memorial, you can mail
contributions to: P.O. Box 1242 Place du Parc Station,
Montreal, Quebec, H2X 4A7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CRITICAL MASS - FRIDAY MARCH 26th - 6pm
On the last Friday of every month, cyclists around the
world gather in groups of dozens, hundreds, or thousands
and take to the streets for a casual ride, with the motto
"We Aren’t Blocking Traffic, We ARE Traffic."
The March 2004 Critical Mass ride, in many cities, has
been dedicated to our two-wheeled friend Tooker. On
March 26th, please join us as we carry on this vibrant
tradition that Tooker loved dearly.
The meeting spot is at 6pm, at Yonge & Temperance
(between Richmond & Adelaide)
Activists across Canada have requested that people wear
black for this bike ride. We all know, however, that Tooker
rarely wore black and would probably want us to dress up
in costumes, as he did so often! SO, for those who want to
respect both wishes, we’ve come up with a list of black
costumes for you! Zorro, a penguin, Darth Vader, a nun,
the Shadow, Dracula, Cat Woman or some goth dude.
Let’s make this the biggest Mass Ride Toronto has ever seen!
for more info, contact Geoff: gmacbride@hotmail.com
Links to Critical Mass rides worldwide:
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Cycling/Commuting_and_Advocacy/Critical_Mass/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tribute for Tooker
Tooker had faith in life: that the earth will sustain us if we sustain it.
Tooker had faith in people: that we could do better.
He had faith in community: that the city could be a caring and healthful place.
The city must be part of the ecosystem, not a burden.
To be sustainable, our economics must nurture life, not harm it.
He fought for global justice.
On all fronts, he was a man of peace.
I shall remember Tooker for his love of life.
As a friend, he is like the trees he cherished.
He planted seeds among us.
He harboured life, and does still.
The tree falls, but is ever renewing.
The tree is not separate from life, and cannot be separated.
The tree, and Tooker, are life's gift.
The tree, the spider's web, the butterfly… All things are one.
A sacred mystery.
Our separation is an illusion.
Grief lies in appearances, and both will pass.
Life is eternal.
In our hearts, Tooker remains. .
~ Geoffrey Pounder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOOKER MEMORIAL ZINE
We’re trying to compile a zine to hand out at the memorial.
Please send submissions of poems, inspiring quotes
or art by Friday March 19th, 12 noon.
Send submissions to lindsay@resist.ca
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ONLINE SUPPORT FORUMS
We've just created two on-line mutual-support forums/
discussions -- for activists, environmentalists and friends:
(1) ACTIVIST SUPPORT FORUM - A place to share your
worries, troubles, frustrations, fears - and offer others
much-needed feedback, support and inspiration:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
(2) CREATING STRONGER COMMUNITY - On-line Forum.
Share your thoughts and ideas on how to create stronger,
healthier community for activists, environmentalists and others:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tooker & Angela's Website: http://www.greenspiration.org
Discussion, Links, Community: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
Wendy Brawer
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 4:16 pm Post subject: a couple of days in Tooker's life
quote
Reply with
Just a couple of days in Tooker's life . . .
Hello from NYC, where the activist community was also touched by Tooker over the years -- he was here
about a year ago, on the trail of Ralph Klein.
I went along to tape the scene as Tooker prepared to give Klein back his own energy study that pointed out
the benefits of harnessing and exporting renewable energy in Alberta. Though we were not permitted into
the Yacht Club where Klein was speaking, Klein mentioned from the podium that his activist shadow had
arrived. Although his speech was not over, suddenly several reporters came to get the real story from
Tooker, who was ready with sound bites and copies of the document for all.
Tooker next helped NYC bicycling activists brainstorm ways to make hay from the threatened mass transit
strike. NYC's mayor had just bought a bike, we all decided to get him a suit of long underwear to go with it,
etc.
The strike was averted at the last moment, and Tooker went on to the next action, which was for Human
Rights Day at the United Nations. He was arrested, along with about 150 spiritual and luminary social
activists, in what he later described as one of his favorite arrests: both Daniel Ellsberg and his son were
among the arrestees. Using his unconfiscated cell phone from jail, Tooker was able to do a live radio
interview with Ellsberg over the CBC.
Released in 4 hours, he came for dinner about our house, leaving us a big grasshopper as a gift. Now
perched in a rubber tree, Tooker's grasshopper reminds us to keep making forward progress, with antenna
up to gather distant signals and eyes focused on the path ahead.
Thank you for everything, Tooker!
– Wendy Brawer of Green Map System
_______________________________________________
[Planet-Friendly Editor adds...
How to be an Activist
by Tooker & Angela: www.greenspiration.org/Article/TenCommandments.html
by Elizabeth May: www.sierraclub.ca/national/activist.html
Become the Media! www.planetfriendly.net/voices.html#become
More: http://dmoz.org/Society/Activism/ www.planetfriendly.net/enviro.html
Renewable Energy Links, Organizations www.planetfriendly.net/energy.html
Cycling & Sustainable Transport www.planetfriendly.net/living.html#transport
Human Rights www.dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Human_Rights_and_Liberties/
Green Map System www.planetfriendly.net/ecoportal.html#maps www.greenmap.org
sandy
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 9:15 am Post subject: MONTREAL MEMORIALS & EVENTS
quote
TOOKER'S MEMORIAL
Reply with
FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED:
There will be a memorial for Tooker at Paperman's funeral home on Jean Talon in Montreal on weds march
10th at 3:15.
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 1:59 pm Post subject: More Montreal & Quebec gatherings and events
Reply with quote
Montreal & Quebec gatherings & events
Thanks for letting us know.
If you hear about other related events in Montreal or
elsewhere in Quebec, please post them as a reply to
this message.
For more Quebec activist and environmental calendars,
see the Quebec section of our "Directory of Calendars"
across Canada:
www.planetfriendly.net/calendars.html#quebec
- Peter Blanchard
people@planetfriendly.net
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Peter Blanchard
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Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:45 am Post subject: Montreal Gazette obit. and where to send donations
Reply with quote
Montreal Gazette: obituary and where to send donations
As printed in Montreal Gazette, Tues March 9:
Quote:
GOMBERG, Tooker Richard Daniel. On Wednesday, March 3, 2004.
Dearly loved husband and companion of Angela Bischoff. Cherished son of Dr. Charles L. Gomberg and Bayla
Rosen Gomberg. Loving, caring and inspiring brother of Frank, Ben, and Avi. Dearly loved uncle of Noah and
Jessie and many nieces and nephews.
A creative pioneer for the welfare of the environment, who had great hopes and dreams to better the
world.
A memorial service will be held at Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon W, on Wednesday, March 10 at 3:15
p.m. Shiva at 42 Terrasse Les Hautvilliers, Outremont.
Donations may be made to the Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration Fund, c/o The Montreal Bicycle Education
Society, (514) 843-0077. We have lost a unique human being.
Hugs to all who knew or were inspired by him,
- Peter Blanchard
people@planetfriendly.net
Tooker Gomberg Memorial Discussion Forum
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg
Tooker & Angela's Website
www.greenspiration.org
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walter chiyan tom
Guest
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:50 am Post subject: funeral and upcoming memorial in about two weeks
Reply with quote
Hi everyone,
I just attended the funeral ceremony for Tooker today and the love, emotion and respect for Tooker was
overwhelming. There were at least 400 people from mainly family, friends and a few familar activists. I
spoke to Angela afterwards and she said that there will be another memorial with the Montreal activist
community in about 2 weeks, with more details to be posted in their Greenspiration website.
Inspiration, humour and insight were the themes so eloquently attributed to Tooker by his brothers, Frank,
Ben and Avi. Finally, Angela's tribute to Tooker was heart-rendering and courageous.
Although I only knew Tooker through his family members and from the time of his arrest at the 2001
Quebec Summit (I was one of the probono lawyers who manned the help phonelines for detainees and
their families), the loss of Tooker moved me to tears, and reminded me all too painfully of the fragile
existence of those who struggle daily for social justice.
Take care of yourself and of others.
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 11:28 pm Post subject: Montreal Public Memorial
Montreal Public Memorial
Reply with quote
Thursday March 25, Cyclo Nord Sud, 7235 St. Urbain. Montreal.
Time t.b.a.
Further details will be posted here and/or www.greenspiration.org
- Peter Blanchard
[topical links: Cyclo Nord Sud www.cyclonordsud.org
www.cyclonordsud.org/montreal.html
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Cycling/Commuting_and_Advocacy/
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 4:22 pm Post subject: creating stronger community Reply with quote
Creating Stronger Community
I am very concerned about the effect Tooker's passing could have on people and the spirit of the movement
– if we don't do something to build stronger community.
I have long felt that we lack community and mutual support. I think that talking circles and other
community-building structures are direly needed – to support and connect activists new and old – and
everyone else who cares about creating a healthier, saner world.
Creating Stronger Community in Toronto & Elsewhere
"Conversation Cafes" are an excellent initiative that is helping to create healthier community in Toronto and
many other cities and towns. They offer a quality of interaction that cannot be found at most other social
gatherings and events. For more information, and to find a conversation cafe near you, see the links below.
They're always looking for people to host new cafes and offer excellent training. Their host manual is
available on their website; they also offer a training workshop.
Create Community Anywhere
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere (scroll down to sections B and C)
Conversation Cafes www.conversationcafe.org
Host Manual www.conversationcafe.org/hosts.html
Overview www.conversationcafe.org/hosts_agree.html
Turning to One Another (book & resources) www.turningtooneanother.net
Talking Circles www.vision-nest.com/btbc/kgarden/tscircle.shtml
www.google.com/search?q=%22talking+stick+circles%22
Listening Circles www.co-intelligence.org/P-listeningcircles.html
www.google.com/search?q=%22listening+circles%22
Wisdom Circles www.google.com/search?q=%22wisdom+circles%22
Discussion Techniques http://schools.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/strats/discussion/
PlanetFriendly.net and Stronger Community
Much of the work we have done at planetfriendly.net has been aimed at creating stronger, healthier
community. I welcome any ideas and offers of assistance to help sustain and develop Planet-Friendly in this
role. (Post them here or send me an e-mail: people@planetfriendly.net ).
At the moment, we're in the early stages of creating some online discussion forums at planetfriendly.net.
See: www.planetfriendly.net/forum/
One of them is about "Creating Stronger Community", www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
. Another is dedicated to *Good* News and Success Stories, with the hopes of providing some muchneeded inspiration: www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=10 (it will be formally launched in the
P&PF list and elsewhere). But local, face-to-face community is even more important.
Several other parts of PlanetFriendly.net focus mostly on real, face-to-face community:
* Calendar www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/
* How to Make the Most of Events www.planetfriendly.net/eventtips.html
* Learning Centres & Places www.planetfriendly.net/learn.html
* GoodWork www.planetfriendly.net/goodwork.html
* The Community Page www.planetfriendly.net/community.html
* Effective E-mail www.planetfriendly.net/emailtips.html
* Discussion Forums (brand new) www.planetfriendly.net/forum/
Memorials, Gatherings and Talking Circles
At the memorial gathering and afterwards, I hope we can create a space for people to express themselves,
share their grief -- but also stay inspired, positive and connected -- as Tooker would want.
Most activist gatherings and events offer very little support or quality interaction. The usual format is
talking heads; followed by task-oriented discussion; and maybe a so-called "social" with live entertainment.
Even supposedly social gatherings tend to be cliquey and offer very limited quality interaction.
The talking circle technique, by any name, is of immense value. It could be very worthwhile at, or following,
the memorial gathering.
A couple of years ago, Lyn Adamson and I started an "Activist Support Group" in Toronto. About twenty of
us met several times, having potlucks and deep, wonderful Talking Circles (adapting the aboriginal
technique). It was very moving and supportive, but fell apart when I pulled out my organizing energy that
spring. Tooker was a participant.
I have resources on Talking Circles and creating community:
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
as well as my notes from the group and an old e-mail discussion:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/activistsupporttoronto/
Please share your thoughts, ideas and needs for community...
I invite you to participate in three newly-created forums at planetfriendly.net:
Creating Stronger Community
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
Activist Support Forum
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
*Good* News and Success Stories
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=10
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
Tooker: www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
Daring to Care: www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=82
Create Community Anywhere:
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
"A loving person lives in loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile
world: everyone you meet is your mirror." - Ken Keyes
Last edited by Peter Blanchard on Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:04 am; edited 4 times in total
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BarbAllard
Guest
PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 12:44 pm Post subject: creating stronger activist community Reply with
quote
Thanks for this wonderful venue for us all to console each other.
I agree with some of the authors - the activist community in Canada - at least in Edmonton - is a piss-poor
excuse for a community.
We are WORSE than Hollywood for using people up when they are in their prime and then, when they are
down and out, have kids, have a breakdown, get into trouble with the media, get old or get sick, discarding
them like maggoty old meat (or tofu as the case may be).
At least in Hollywood, people make a lot of money in their heyday and don't tend to be alienated from their
mainstream family and friends for being who they are.
______________
Peter, I would be honoured if you use my quote to help initiate discussion about the topic of creating a
stronger activist community. I'd like it noted, though, that I was in a highly upset state when I wrote that. (I
don't normally rant at strangers in emails). I am actually feeling much more peaceful today.
- Barb Allard
lesliemenagh
Joined: 12 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Peterborough
PostPosted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 10:49 am Post subject: supporting each other in peace making and problem
solving Reply with quote
I've stumbled across the following words...just wanted to share them.
Quote:
We are not alone. We are not what we have, what we do, what
others think of us. We are divinely connected to [each other, to the
greater Good, and to all of its] creations, and consequently each of us
has an unlimited inventory of resources available for the purpose of
helping us to a state of peace and problem solving.
Wayne Dyer, There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem
With love,
Leslie
lesliemenagh at yahoo.com
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:10 pm Post subject: Inspiring and hopeful quotes and resources
with quote
Leslie,
Thanks for these thoughts.
Here are some resources and quotes in the same vein...
Wayne Dyer's website www.drwaynedyer.com Related Links Wayne Dyer Quotes
Spirituality and Faith Links and Organizations for Activists and Environmentalists
www.planetfriendly.net/living.html#faith
(scroll down to section 20, Faith & Spirituality)
Creating Stronger Community www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
- esp. (B) Create Community Anywhere and (C) Community & Group Process.
More Quotes
Speaking of inspiring, hopeful quotes, here are a few of my favourites...
"Nothing dies forever,
Something always remains,
from which something new grows.
So life begins,
without knowing where it came from
or why it exists."
Reply
– Antonia (from the film, Antonia's Line)
"What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway." – Bishop Muzorewa
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Whatever occurs from love is always beyond good and evil."
– Friedrich Nietzsche
"Powerlessness and silence go together. We...should use our
privileged positions not as a shelter from the world's reality,
but as a platform from which to speak. A voice is a gift.
It shoud be cherished and used." – Margaret Atwood
"A key is just a bunch of little angles, in the right combination"
– JP Warren
"Neither certain nor indifferent"
– Jostein Gaarder describing Socrates, in the book "Sophie's World"
http://directory.google.com/Top/Arts/Literature/Authors/G/Gaarder,_Jostein/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Philosophy/Philosophers/Socrates/
– Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
Chris Benjamin
Guest
PostPosted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 10:11 am Post subject: Tooker
Tooker
Read it on the email
From cyclists inc.
Through the unruly
anarchistic same
The informal networks
were buzzing first
As is their way
Reply with quote
Mez confirmed the rumour
Before I'd heard it
It hit me on my heart
It too is circulatory
But medieval folks
Knew it right
It's where hurt lives
I didn't really know him
But we all knew him
I heard about him
On the email
When he ran for Mayor
And I was in Makassar
I met him face to table
At a meeting
About energy
He had more
Than the rest of us
Striving for small winnables
While he stood alone
Against the juggernaut
Until iron filings clung
Onto his magnetic
Speed-dialing on his cell
Saying 'it's awful,
What you're doing
to Kirkland Lake'
And that one too
Became a winnable
Thanks to Tooker's cell
And 400 calls a week
He told that story
To a small group
Of laughing high schoolers
I told them about Margaret Mead
Tooker showed them what she meant
And I admired him for it
Wished I walked like that
His gift was that in doing so
He had you believing you could too
I see him with his megaphone
Knowing it must be different
Without the public
knowing of his struggle
but not much about it
I can see him riding
To the middle of Angus MacDonald
Taking off the helmet
Placing it on his handles
Falling into the sledge
(The kind he didn't want)
Like my childhood nightmares
Perhaps all he did
Looked too small
Next to the real world
But it wasn't
It wasn't what he did
It was what he valued
And how he showed it
Unabashedly
I hope he's transcended
Somewhere better
But more importantly
I hope we can achieve
A world more like what he wanted
Somewhere better
Right here
- Chris Benjamin
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 10:05 pm Post subject: Where to send donations: The Tooker Gomberg
Funds Reply with quote
Where to Send Donations
Donations can be made to either of two funds, both of which will serve to support Canadian grassroots
ecological and justice work.
Organizers of at least some of the gatherings have requested that no flowers be purchased. Instead, let's
support Tooker's legacy by donating to the funds!
More information can be found on Tooker & Angela's website:
www.greenspiration.org
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
activist
Joined: 08 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Edmonton
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 10:48 am Post subject: EDMONTON & Western Canada memorials/events
*REVISED*
Reply with quote
Tooker Gomberg
1955-2004
One of Canada's brightest lights has passed away.
Here in Edmonton, to pay tribute,
we ask you to please join us for
An All in Black Critical Mass
When: Friday, March 26th, 2004
Bring your bike, skateboard, or other sustainable means of transportation
and meet in front of City Hall at 5:00 p.m.
What: Ride your bike from City Hall to Gazebo Park
(aka 103 & 104 Streets and 82 & 83 Avenues).
To be followed by a candlelight ceremony.
We hope The All in Black Critical Mass ride will be one of several held throughout Canada.
Please circulate this message as widely as possible.
This memorial is in addition to the service being held March 15 in Edmonton. Please mark your calendars for
both now.
[Editor's Note: The March 15 service is private. Details on the public memorial on March 16 can be found
below: see "wordsmith's" reply below ]
_________________
Mimi Williams
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Peter Blanchard
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Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 11:05 am Post subject: western Canada events & Critical Mass everywhere
Reply with quote
Western Canada events & Critical Mass everywhere
Thanks for letting us know about this event.
If you hear about memorials in western Canada, feel free
to post them as a reply to this message.
For more Western Canada activist and environmental calendars,
see our "Directory of Calendars" across Canada:
www.planetfriendly.net/calendars.html#westerncanada
For more info on "Critical Mass" in cities across Canada
and around the world, see:
Critical Mass Links, Organizations, Calendars: link
Green & alternative transportation groups, organizations, links:
www.planetfriendly.net/living.html#transport
- Peter Blanchard
people@planetfriendly.net
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Grant Neufeld
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 9:40 pm Post subject: CALGARY - Tooker Critical Mass in Calgary
with quote
CALGARY - Tooker Critical Mass in Calgary
We're joining the rides across Canada in honoring Tooker:
Reply
http://calgary.activist.ca/view.php?id=0-11185
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everything louder
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Edmonton
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 1:07 am Post subject:
Where and when is the memorial on the 15th?
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Michelle
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Reply with quote
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 2:21 pm Post subject: Celebrating Tooker
Hi Mimi and all Edmonton Critical Massers
Reply with quote
I wish I could be with you all, but will be thinking of you from Nelson. Tooker was an energetic inspiration.
His life had incredible meaning as he always worked for the benefit of us all. I feel fortunate to have met
him and have known him the little bit that I did. He always made Critical Mass extra fun. I'm sad to know
he's not physically with us anymore, but he certainly left a legacy.
Take Care
Michelle M.
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 11:45 pm Post subject: Memorial tribute for Tooker @ Riverdale Hall, Mon
15 March
Reply with quote
Angela told me yesterday this is the location for
the Memorial tribute for Tooker in Edmonton...
Mon 15 March in the evening
Riverdale Community League Halls 780-421-1357
9231 100 Avenue NW,
Edmonton, AB
T5H 0A4
Jean ...like Tooker says
"Take care & take cake of each other"
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angry_eH
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 6:48 am Post subject: the critical mass all over
Reply with quote
The thought springs to mind of a fellow activist in orgeon who was dying of breast cancer. Insted of the
sympathy she used to always say"Don't mourn. Organize!"' Seems to me that is what tooker was trying to
get across while he was alive. I dont mean to rain on the critical mass, however we need to keep that in
mind as well as why the ride is dedicated.
This world needs many more folks like Tooker. But so many people are reluctant to take the torch and spred
it around.
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:26 pm Post subject: LOOKING for RIDE Vancouver to Edmonton(a.s.a.p.)
Reply with quote
LOOKING for RIDE to Edmonton(a.s.a.p.)
by Jean • Tuesday March 09, 2004 at 10:22 PM
I am going to Tooker Gomberg's MEMORIAL in Edmonton Monday 15 March in the evening
I need a ride leaving Vancouver by Saturday or Sunday morning...
The ride can also be a partial one like: to the Okanagan, to the Shuswap, to Revelstoke, to Quesnel, to
Nelson or to Calgary, any fair distance at least 1/3 or 1/2 of the way on a main road..
please contact me
Jean (voice mail)604 682 3269 ext: 9521
I can sometimes be reached directly at
Pumpkin Patch(Peter's): 604 215 7478
or Merlin's: 604 738 2860
E-mail: sylph@canada.com
or: velo_rution@riseup.net
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=19
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Peter Blanchard
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Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:42 pm Post subject: Celebration/Memorial, Edmonton City Hall, Tues.
March 16
Reply with quote
Celebration/Memorial, Edmonton City Hall, Tues. March 16
From the Edmonton Journal, Wed. Mar. 10:
Quote:
A celebration of Tooker Gomberg's life will be held at 4 p.m. on [Tuesday] March 16 in the City Room at City
Hall. Organizers request that no flowers be purchased. Information will be available on how to contribute to
a memorial fund in Gomberg's name. For more information, call Earth's General Store at 439-8725.
Full story: Link to Edmonton Journal Article
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wordsmith
Joined: 11 Mar 2004
Posts: 3
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:06 pm Post subject: public memorial events - Edmonton
quote
Two public memorials will be held for Tooker in Edmonton:
A celebration of Tooker Gomberg's life
Tuesday, 16 March at 4 p.m.
Reply with
in the City Room at City Hall.
Organizers request that no flowers be purchased.
For more information, call Earth's General Store at (780) 439-8725.
For information on memorial contributions, please see:
http://www.greenspiration.org/
An All in Black Critical Mass
Friday, 26 March 2004
Bring your bike, skateboard, or other sustainable means of transportation
and meet in front of City Hall at 5:00 p.m.
Ride your bike from City Hall to McIntyre Park (Gazebo Park)
(103 & 104 Streets and 83 Avenue).
A candlelight ceremony will follow.
A clarification - the memorial to be held on Monday, March 15th is a private gathering.
Thanks to everyone who has cared & shared in this terribly difficult time.
It is heartening to see the concern & support displayed here, especially bringing people together. Tooker
woulda loved it.
Lotta Light to Everyone. Peace
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:23 pm Post subject: Montreal Gazette obit. and where to send donations
Reply with quote
Montreal Gazette: obituary and where to send donations
As printed in Montreal Gazette, Tues March 9:
Quote:
GOMBERG, Tooker Richard Daniel. On Wednesday, March 3, 2004.
Dearly loved husband and companion of Angela Bischoff. Cherished son of Dr. Charles L. Gomberg and Bayla
Rosen Gomberg. Loving, caring and inspiring brother of Frank, Ben, and Avi. Dearly loved uncle of Noah and
Jessie and many nieces and nephews.
A creative pioneer for the welfare of the environment, who had great hopes and dreams to better the
world.
A memorial service will be held at Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon W, on Wednesday, March 10 at 3:15
p.m. Shiva at 42 Terrasse Les Hautvilliers, Outremont.
Donations may be made to the Tooker Gomberg Greenspiration Fund, c/o The Montreal Bicycle Education
Society, (514) 843-0077. We have lost a unique human being.
Revised info on donations:
Donations can be made to either of two funds, both of which will serve to support Canadian grassroots
ecological and justice work.
Organizers of at least some of the gatherings have requested that no flowers be purchased. Instead, let's
support Tooker's legacy by donating to the funds!
More information can be found on Tooker & Angela's website:
www.greenspiration.org
Hugs to all who knew or were inspired by him,
- Peter Blanchard
people@planetfriendly.net
Tooker Gomberg Memorial Discussion Forum
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg
Tooker & Angela's Website
www.greenspiration.org
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walter chiyan tom
Guest
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 11:19 pm Post subject: funeral
Hi everyone,
Reply with quote
I just attended the funeral ceremony for Tooker today and the love, emotion and respect for Tooker was
overwhelming. There were at least 400 people from mainly family, friends and a few familar activists. I
spoke to Angela afterwards and she said that there will be another memorial with the Montreal activist
community in about 2 weeks, with more details to be posted in their Greenspiration website.
Inspiration, humour and insight were the themes so eloquently attributed to Tooker by his brothers, Frank,
Ben and Avi. Finally, Angela's tribute to Tooker was heart-rendering and courageous.
Although I only knew Tooker through his family members and from the time of his arrest at the 2001
Quebec Summit ( I was one of the probono lawyers who manned the help phonelines for detainees and
their families), the loss of Tooker moved me to tears, and reminded me all too painfully of the fragile
existence of those who struggle daily for social justice.
Take care of yourself and of others.
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 6:21 pm Post subject: Tooker's last column for Alternatives Journal, now
online Reply with quote
Quote:
Hi Peter
Tooker's last "Stir It Up" column for Alternatives is
hot off the press and now on the web at:
www.alternativesjournal.ca/special/tooker.htm
Thanks for all of your Tooker homage -- he was very special
to us around here for many years. A few years ago he and
Angela were activists in residence at the Department of
Environmental Studies at the U of Waterloo -- they mentored
a lot of students, revved up a lot of action and it was ultra
exciting to have them so physically close to Alternatives.
Heavy sighs now.
Professor Greg Michalenko (teaches the activism class)
will be writing a tribute that we will also send to you.
Best,
Marcia
Thanks, Marcia!!
On the subject of Tooker's last column...
Green, Sustainable Transportation - links, organizations, public transit...
www.planetfriendly.net/living.html#transport
Support alternative, non-corporate media and communications...
Alternatives Journal
Canadian Environmental Ideas & Action
www.alternativesjournal.ca
www.alternativesjournal.ca/special/tooker.htm
Green & Alternative Media in Canada and beyond
www.planetfriendly.net/gifts.html#magazines
www.planetfriendly.net/voices.html
More of Tooker's Writings & News
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67
- peter blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg/
people@planetfriendly.net
jm
Guest
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 6:19 pm Post subject: Rise Again Reply with quote
I want to thank Peter Blanchard for setting up this forum. We are scattered all over the country and the
world and it is doing all of us good to hear from each other about what a difference Tooker made
everywhere.
Tooker had an incredible amount of faith. How else could you keep jumping up when you get knocked
down? For most of us it’s “once bitten, twice shy” but not for Tooker. While Tooker and Angela were in
Toronto I watched them again and again gathering together support, holding planning meetings, organizing
actions, and having fun. Getting the word out. Turning hearts towards them and changing minds. Even in
the face of disdain, belittlement, apathy they kept going. Every day. They never gave up. Even throughout
his fights with depression, Tooker kept managing to rise. Again and again he came back to keep putting his
energies into making our world as beautiful as it deserves to be. It seems to me Tooker channeled his
energies into “good” when he could, and this kept him going as long as it did.
I am heartbroken by his choice but as many others have said on this forum, he is at peace now and this is a
great burden lifted. When the mood turns bleak, I try to be thankful that we had him as long as we did.
My love and best wishes go out to Angela, Tooker’s parents and brother, Angela’s family, and all of their
numerous friends all over the world.
And to all of us: let’s make our lives worthy of Tooker’s memory. Let’s make use of the resources and
freedom and hope that we have, never to stay down, but always to rise again.
Jennifer Morrow
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Pat Kerr
Guest
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 5:28 pm Post subject: an elegy
Elegy for Tooker Gomberg
Like the lioness protecting her young,
Like the scout who clearly sees the abyss
And frantically runs to warn the approaching multitudes,
Like the fire-breathing dragon, by whose light we must all see,
There are those whose fierce caring roars,
shouts
torches
wails
Mourns the planet,
Knocks down walls,
Walks on water
May those beacons ever rise and be heard,
be seen, be followed,
be suppressed, to rise again.
And may the tears at their going soak the earth,
Nourishing dragon-lion-scouts who will,
who will love, who will sing,
who will live, who will unite,
who will focus, who will imagine.
Reply with quote
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:08 pm Post subject: NEW FORUM HOMEPAGE & PICTURE
with quote
New Forum Homepage
Reply
Hello,
We've created a new homepage and address for the forum.
The address is shorter and much easier to remember.
The page includes a great picture of Tooker.
If you are telling others about, or linking to the forum,
please use this address/blurb:
TOOKER GOMBERG DISCUSSION FORUM & BULLETIN BOARD
an on-line community to learn about and discuss
the life and ideas of Tooker Gomberg
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg
( www.planetfriendly.net/tooker also works)
A media release is also available, at the bottom of that page.
- peter blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 5:09 pm Post subject: Multiple webpages Bio of Tooker
quote
Here is a glimpse of Tooker's life just put up by my friend Danielle
Thank you! Danielle
Reply with
Jean
...in Tooker's words: "Take care of yourself & take care of each other"
http://www.geocities.com/daniellla.geo/tooker_gomberg.html
http://www.geocities.com/daniellla.geo/tooker.html
http://www.geocities.com/daniellla.geo/gomberg.html
Josh Matlow
Joined: 10 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Toronto
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 11:43 am Post subject: Tooker. I will always remember you!
Reply
with quote
When I first learned that Tooker had taken his own life, I felt sad, angry and had a horrible feeling in my gut.
I still feel this way.
I immediately started recounting stories with my partner, Melissa, about the many personal encounters I've
had with Tooker.
I remember protesting in front of an Esso gas station with him as we played off eachother, thinking of new
chants for the megaphone. I remember watching him burst into the Royal York Hotel and passionately
address Alberta Premier Ralph Klein over his opposition to Kyoto. I remember watching him being dragged
away by the police (one of several occasions) when we were protesting the war on Iraq. I remember
watching his videos with him at his home (you could always tell when he had been operating the camera
because the angle would always be looking upwards). I have many other memories that I will forever share
with him.
Tooker was a true activist on the issues, amusing to the ruling class and a much needed organizer and
inspiration (or greenspiration) for some of our society's most disenfranchised people.
I will always remember Tooker.
Angela, my love and support is with you.
Josh
Ken Barth
Guest
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 11:29 am Post subject: Tooker and Mirella's passing
quote
I do not know right now how to express myself, especially typing a message.
Reply with
I learned last nite that Mirella Zappone passed away.
I am going to miss both of them so much. My condolences to all their friends and family.
Tooker you will always be in my memories.
Mirella I will miss you and all I have are good memories.
Peace be with you both.
Ken
Does anyone know where I can send some flowers for both services. Thanks. I can be reached at
kenbarth@hotmail.com
Guest
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:59 am Post subject: rest in peace you crazy memorable man
Reply
with quote
Canada is a less interesting place today as a result of Tooker's death. It is also not as kind without him
around on his bike. His ways of making a point were sheer genius as they were witty. Thanks for your
kindness and enormous ability to care for all creatures. Rest in peace you crazy memorable man.
Heartquest
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 4
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 11:01 am Post subject: Angela; thoughts; inviting your success stories
Reply with quote
Angela; thoughts; inviting levity and success stories
Arrow I am Angela's downstairs neighbour (Katherine) and am tracking/printing all internet activity while
she is travelling. As thoughts have come through in this forum they have been printed off and are travelling
with Angela now. I will continue to update in her absence to share with her on her return and perhaps add
to her memorial plans in Halifax. Thank you all who have contributed thus far and to those still considering
what to say.
Having been present through this ordeal, enlightenment, anguish, outpouring of Love and Support since
Wednesday, I am moved to share a few thoughts with you all, and grateful to know you are here.
Angela and Tooker shared the upstairs flat in a 3 unit building overlooking Halifax Harbour and the Bridge.
We live in the middle flat and share the same view. It is a beautiful place filled with light and awe inspiring
views...an ever changing panorama of water, sky, city and ocean, trains, ships, sailboats and giant moons.
The view is beyond poignant now and fills me with wonderings shared here.
I too fight the demons. I often consider how one could impact on the flow of mainstream information to
bring encouragement, hope and laughter to a struggling world. There is way too much focus already, I feel,
on doom and gloom. I feel it turns people inward to be inundated so, leaving resignation and complaceny.
On that note, having spent time as a broadcaster/journalist, I am aware there are certain structures and
protocols to follow when organizing a news program. The habits and styles of news compiling and sharing
are entrenched within the structures of media. The sheer daily volume of horror stories globally is
mind/heart numbing for those presenting and listening. The best I could offer in my day, in a meager
attempt to offset the "dark side" was to include a "kicker" (joke) off the BN tear sheets. Trying to include a
laugh with every newscast.
It has struck me many times this past week, having been privileged to both read and hear first hand
accounts of Tooker's large gift for humour and the absurd, trying so hard to be heard in this numbed
consciousness, that perhaps there is a way to introduce levity, deliberately, into main stream media, in
relation to the profound energy that is the life of "activism". Levity combined with hard information about
the good works and successes that have been achieved through this global family of earth's care givers.
This is an invitation to submit any/all stories related to sublime, ridiculous, outrageous successes measured
against what feels like eternal head banging with "numbness". Perhaps there is a way to integrate this with
regularly broadcast features (mainstream) listing the achievements along with the struggles.... and the
global community/family that has grown as a consequence of the farsighted loving people who have acted
as trail blazers and leaders.... This neighbourhood is rife with integrity, character and most importantly,
love. These need to be known and shared with jaded viewers.
Shared humour and joy may invite more intense listening and perhaps reach those who tune out to the
drone of the daily list of deficiencies everywhere.
I would also like you to know that everyday since Tooker left, there has been much belly-laughing through
tears over some of the stunts achieved over the course of his life. It has offered some relief and genuine joy
between moments of unreality in the knowledge of his leaving.
Blessings to you all. I look forward to comments to share both with Angela and the community here...
- Katherine
Be like the Bird
Who while pausing in flight
Lands on boughs too slight and
Feels them give way beneath her
Yet sings,
Knowing She Hath Wings
[Victor Hugo: - ed]
Last edited by Heartquest on Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:44 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Peter Blanchard
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Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 6:08 pm Post subject: sharing your successes
Sharing your successes...
I too would love to hear your success stories and
inspirations -- big or small. We've just created a forum
on this topic. It's brand new and waiting for your contributions:
Good News & Success Stories
www.planetfriendly.net/success-stories
Katherine and the rest of the community can then find them there...
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/
people@planetfriendly.net
Reply with quote
P.S. www.planetfriendly.net/success-stories takes you to the same place as:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=10
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Heartquest
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 4
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 9:09 pm Post subject: and Thank You Peter...
Excellent edit... Prayers still collecting en force here ... for all.
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Reply with quote
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 10:15 pm Post subject: tell us your Good News & Success Stories
with quote
Tell us your good news & success stories –
big or small, long or short
Good News & Success Stories is a place to share
good news – big or small; personal or public;
having to do with you, or just something that
you've heard about.
We often take good news for granted, keep it inside
of us, and fail to share it with others. Let's hear
about it! Please take a moment to give others
some much-needed inspiration.
Peace, environment, politics, activism, business,
personal and social change – most news seems
to be bad news.
So tell us about your personal successes, big or
small... about others who have inspired you with
their successes or positive vision... or about
other positive news that you've heard, related
to People- & Planet-Friendly themes.
To add your story – or to view the stories that
Reply
others have posted/will be posting:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=10
(and click "new topic", at top left).
You can post anything from a single paragraph to a
few pages, or an excerpt and a link.
- Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net
people@planetfriendly.net
Tip: It's a good idea to create an account before you
post your story (click "Register", at top right) . That
way you can edit or update your story if you like,
and if necessary, the moderator (me) can send you
an e-mail to confirm that the story is correct.
(it only takes a couple of minutes to register;
all you need is an e-mail account; we will not
share your e-mail account with others)
merliness
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 8:17 pm Post subject: Reflections Reply with quote
Hi allI knew Tooker as a close family friend..really tru family..I am 23 now but remeber Tooker and Angela
together.I remember the energy, the charasima, the passion. Oh how Tooker touched my life. I recently
went back to school and reflected on my childhood experiences that shaped.. well... me. I was always proud
to say I knew him- how he fought for what was "right" and even had victory...as a child though the people
that surrounded created a nuturing, safe, creative, understanding, healing environment and Tooker was
always a big part of that. I work in the system now as a caregiver at a group home, but after having to say
goodbye to a dear friend- I realized Tooker was a big reason for that. I want humanity to stop suffering and
mostly the children. Who knew that 1hr n 30 mins. away from Edm. there was a people dying.....Tooker
did...He taught me that the opposite of love is not hate- it is apathy. It was a gift to be different because
thats what makes you special. And it was our right to fight for socail, economic and environmental justice. It
wasn't until yrs later that I realized Tooker helped teach me to think globally and act locally. I will honour
your spirit Tooker by continuing to fight for the world and its people.
Thanks All...It has been amazing to see the out pouring of support and strength.
Angela; I send love, strength, understanding and healing. I feel so helpless to offer comfort...Ang contact
me.....Big Hugs Lots of Love Emrys
_________________
Let your heart instruct you.
Listen well.
You will know your way
-M.A. mbl Radmacher
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject: Fly Free, Tooker, from Norway
Reply with
quote
I only met Tooker a few times while living in Edmonton, but never failed to be impressed by his
commitment and dedication.
Blessing to everyone who mourns his loss.
Kenneth
Boo
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:57 pm Post subject: Tooker Was Now
Reply with quote
I met Tooker, through Angela, while I was organising Queer By Nature in Toronto (the first and only green
gay pride event). We joined up on other actions until they moved to Halifax. Those actions were always
great fun, fabulous events that were truly counter-culture. My impression was that Tooker was all about
"now". I enjoyed some lovely 'hangs' with Tooker and Angela, too. This news is shocking and slow to sink in.
It certainly strengthens my resolve to struggle that much harder. Goodbye, Tooker. Rest now. We'll carry
on.
Boo Watson,
Toronto
BarbAllard
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 8:56 pm Post subject: How can such a strong heart be broken?
with quote
Letter to the Editor, Edmonton Journal
Reply
Today I mourn a lost friend and mentor, Tooker Gomberg: a man who was always asking questions.
Why should we go to war over mid-east oil? Back in 1991, deeply troubled over the impending War in the
Gulf, and newly inflamed with activist zeal, I met Tooker and his life partner, Angela Bischoff. Seasoned
activists, they had organized a Peace Camp outside Canada Place; it was a visible presence and meeting
place for all souls speaking out for world peace.
Why shouldn't a city be as sacred and clean as a forest? Activists love to challenge old, tired notions. I
learned from Angela and Tooker that activism is both courageous and peaceful, relentless and inclusive,
creative and intelligent, joyful and reverent, hardworking and comical, hopeful and realistic.
Why shouldn't technology be used for the benefit of all, not just a few? The way to fight cynicism and
despair: become a walking encyclopedia of solutions and then joyfully promote them at every opportunity.
As city councillor, Tooker gained for Edmonton a state-of-the-art waste treatment centre, a water
conservation strategy that saved millions, more accessible public transit, and safer routes for cyclists. It
seemed like he was just getting started.
If there's a cleaner, more humane, economically-viable way of doing something, why don't we do it?
Tooker's legacy is a positive one for Edmonton. The organizations he helped to start have bigger
memberships than ever, realizing more and more measurable benefits to the city. The hundreds, maybe
thousands, of people he influenced are working hard on peace and environmental protection, clean energy,
sustainable cities, independent media, aboriginal rights, an end to poverty in this world.
Why would a politician be vilified for refusing to abandon his principles? Increasingly misrepresented and
ridiculed by the commercial press, Tooker's ability to pick himself up and storm right back into the public
arena seemed indomitable. He (almost) always made me feel like I was on a winning team. Even losing an
election was a victory because we had participated in democracy. We had gotten some press and asked the
right questions.
Tooker died never learning the answers to his questions, and his passing only leaves me with more.
How can someone give so much to people and wind up feeling alone, unworthy, hopeless, or however he
must have been feeling these last days?
How can such a strong and pure heart be broken?
Barb Allard,
Edmonton
March 7, 2004
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Ken Barth
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 12:30 pm Post subject: A Sad Day Reply with quote
I was surprised to hear the sad news of Tooker's passing. Like many others, I knew Tooker from my days in
Edmonton working at EcoCity.
Sure I did not always agree with his tactics but I always respected his energy and enthusiam and we always
had the same goal in view - A place of peace and social justice, living with nature and not against nature, be
it a city or farm.
Angela my heart goes out to you, as well as Tooker's family and many friends. A warm hug to all.
With love, Ken Barth, Campbell River BC
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Brian Welling
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:31 pm Post subject: Further tragedy
Reply with quote
This message is especially for you, Ken Barth (I have no other way of reaching you), and for all of Tooker's
friends from Edmonton who have not yet been informed of a second tragedy (Kelly Reinhart and Elena
Cecheto already know).
One of Tooker's (and all of our) good friends, Mirella Zappone, is in a coma right now. She was on her way
to Edmonton from northern Alberta to grieve the loss of Tooker when her vehicle was hit from behind by a
semi-trailor. She has extensive injuries to her brain and spine and has no chance of recovery. Her family will
be withdrawing life support today.
This is a very sad time for the environmental community of Edmonton and beyond. The contributions of
both Tooker and Mirella to my own life are remembered and cherished.
Brian Welling (onewelling@hotmail.com)
PS
My heart goes out to you Ang, especially.
Amandha
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:32 pm Post subject: And all of a sudden, there he was... Reply with
quote
I remember the first time I met Tooker. I had seen activist film and other news articles pertaining to him and
I did put him high on my "honour" list. But it wasn't until I saw him in Calgary, in the summer of 2000, where
a small handful of us gathered, to do a critical mass bike ride and cause some heads turnin', that I realized
my reaction to him was as if he were famous! I got a little nervous and wanted to get all excited and hug
him, but I stayed cool.. Laughing He then told me about some of his adventures riding his bicycle from
Edmonton! to Calgary for the Petroleum Congress Gathering. What a man. I think we have to remember
that depression is also a disease, yes a disease of our culture, but clinically, depression is serious. I just wish
I knew that he had such a struggle. There are so many homeopathics that could have cured the swings. Let's
just love him and instead of this event making us feel despair, let it make us stronger. Now that he's not
around, we have to pick up where he left off, we have to continue for him. I know we are sad, for these are
sad times, but if we give up, it will only get worse. I love you all and send you warm, healing enegy through
my tears. Crying or Very sad
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John
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 11:27 am Post subject: Re: And all of a sudden, there he was...
Reply
with quote
I appreciate that you wished that Tooker could have been helped with homeopathics; I can tell you that it
was tried, without lasting success.
Amandha wrote:
I remember the first time I met Tooker. I had seen activist film and other news articles pertaining to him and
I did put him high on my "honour" list. But it wasn't until I saw him in Calgary, in the summer of 2000, where
a small handful of us gathered, to do a critical mass bike ride and cause some heads turnin', that I realized
my reaction to him was as if he were famous! I got a little nervous and wanted to get all excited and hug
him, but I stayed cool.. Laughing He then told me about some of his adventures riding his bicycle from
Edmonton! to Calgary for the Petroleum Congress Gathering. What a man. I think we have to remember
that depression is also a disease, yes a disease of our culture, but clinically, depression is serious. I just wish
I knew that he had such a struggle. There are so many homeopathics that could have cured the swings. Let's
just love him and instead of this event making us feel despair, let it make us stronger. Now that he's not
around, we have to pick up where he left off, we have to continue for him. I know we are sad, for these are
sad times, but if we give up, it will only get worse. I love you all and send you warm, healing enegy through
my tears. Crying or Very sad
Philip
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 12:35 am Post subject: We started recycling in Montreal back in '78 Reply
with quote
In 1978, I was working to launch a community environmental group in the NDG neighbourhood of Montreal.
Tooker found out about it and wanted to join forces. He lived in Outremont, so I said, why don't you start a
group in Outrement and I start one in NDG.
So we did. He created Vieilles Nouvelles/Old News and I created Ecosense. Together with another group in
St-Laurent we launched recycling in Montreal, with monthly "R" days and eventually curbside pickups.
These front-runner programs directly led to the municipal programs we have now.
Tooker was a tireless, courageous and honest activist. I haven't spoken to him since his Montreal days, but
followed his exploits in Edmonton and Toronto through the media. It is really sad that he is gone and I keep
hoping it isn't true. This guy has done so much, but he could do so much more. He is an inspiration to all of
us.
I hope there is a memorial for him in Montreal.
Philip van Leeuwen, Montreal
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Velorution
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Montreal, Qc.
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:01 pm Post subject:
Reply with quote
Shocked
Yes! our forming years...
i remember Tooker was part of the bicycle advocacy group "Le Monde a Bicyclette" like me...
Also either he invited me or i decided to go visit "Vielles Nouvelle-Old News" curbside pick-up recycling
business ( one of the first in Canada ), i thought this was so great i decided to volunteer for it, and Tooker
also gave me some paid work there, as i felt then & still feel amazingly Very Happy proud to beeing part of
pionneering work... & to have had Tooker as a friend, as a comrade...
Tooker is the person i have kept in touch for the longest time in my life,
i just wish i had called him more often lately or had gone to visit him sooner than i had planned to do this
spring... Rolling Eyes
Jean
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Jean Blundell
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:04 pm Post subject: Goodbye Eco-warrior! ...join an environmental
group today
Reply with quote
REALLY SORRY TO HEAR THIS SAD NEWS!!
I really appreciated Tooker's environmental dedication and his attempts to wake up Canadians to the
environmental consequences of us continuing to live as most of us do. He moved from one end of the
country to the other spreading his message and was living by example in the backwoods when I got his last
email. I ended up cancelling his email newsletter, and am now upset I did...
Those who knew him, and knew of him, will miss his environmental contributions.
DON'T LET HIS ENERGY TO WORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT DIE - JOIN AN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP TODAY!!
Jean_Blundell, at, toronto.ca
Jean Blundell
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:04 pm Post subject: Goodbye Eco-warrior! ...join an environmental
group today
Reply with quote
REALLY SORRY TO HEAR THIS SAD NEWS!!
I really appreciated Tooker's environmental dedication and his attempts to wake up Canadians to the
environmental consequences of us continuing to live as most of us do. He moved from one end of the
country to the other spreading his message and was living by example in the backwoods when I got his last
email. I ended up cancelling his email newsletter, and am now upset I did...
Those who knew him, and knew of him, will miss his environmental contributions.
DON'T LET HIS ENERGY TO WORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT DIE - JOIN AN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP TODAY!!
Jean_Blundell, at, toronto.ca
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:54 pm Post subject: on joining or volunteering for an eco-group... Reply
with quote
Free, searchable, online directory of environmental groups
and organizations across Ontario: www.oen.ca/dir/
and across Canada, around the world...
www.oen.ca/dir/portals.html
- pb
3rd page: questioning my values (sabrina),
sabrina
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 3:02 pm Post subject: questioning my values
Reply with quote
So here we are. A group of passionate environmentalists, constantly bombarded with bad news, mourning
the loss of one of our elders, one of our leaders.
I can't help but wonder if it was clinical depression or societal depression that caused Tucker's unbearable
sadness. From my short, 23 years on this beautiful, chaotic planet, I have experienced much sadness from
the evil that is pervading the Earth. What am I going to feel like in 30 years? Is there a point in fighting
against a growing machine of destruction? How can I reorgainze my values so that I can continue to see the
light amongst all of the %$&! tradgedies?
what to do, my friends? where do we find the strength to pursue our dreams when one of our strongest
leaders gave up the struggle?
May Tuckers journey lead him to the world of his dreams, a world with love and respect for all of creation.
Love to you all,
sabrina
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Disbelievin'
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 4:48 pm Post subject: The attempt is all yours.
Sabrina:
Reply with quote
I have "struggled" for over 50 years. I've made many mistakes and "given up" plenty of times. Your attempts
to do what's right can only come from within you. Don't despair because someone else has.
There is always hope in honest effort. Just remember, though, we live in a society that can confuse talking
about a thing with doing it. Don't look for media approval for what you do. 90% of the improvements in life
come from those who turn their back on looking good in order to do good.
Good luck. Smile
Back to top
Tim Holland
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Peterborough, On
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject: Where do we go from here
Where do we go from here
Reply with quote
I was devastated in a unique way to find out about Tooker's death. He was a hero to me. Hearing
particularly that he had committed suicide, caused something inside of me to crumble. But I also feel
Tooker's death provides us with an opportunity to deepen our commitment to caring for ourselves and one
another.
These thoughts, are my best summation of what I have learned personally from Tooker's death.
(God, the guy just doesn't stop teaching people eh?)
There is a terrible pain in being conscious of the state of our world. One can feel torn apart by a powerful
sense of justice on one hand, and the excruciating frustration of our own capacity to make change as
individuals on the other. It can lead us to feeling alienated from our own sense of self.
But we are caring for life on earth! - something so wonderful we will never fully understand it.
We need to recommit ourselves to the sense of community that inspires our work. I love all of you who are
working for justice. I love you all for caring. Not because you've given me a crowd that I feel I can "fit in"
with, but because you have joined me in a desire to make the world better. Let us also recommit to making
ourselves better at caring for ourselves and each other.
Tooker's death has made me recommit myself to
1)Working harder to accept my own imperfections.
2)Working harder at accepting the imperfections of others.
It is the simple work of loving, and the greatest thing to unite us, but it's also easy to lose touch with when
you feel overwhelmed.
Thanks Tooker.
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Bob Steinhardt/ Kitchener
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:38 pm Post subject: Commitment
Reply with quote
Tim,
Bravo 2 U...I am now 54 y.o. ...exiled from my home in the DisUnited States...and I came here because I was
told there was a community waiting for me. I never dreamt I would re-invent the old 60's "activist" and
become an "actionist"...dedicated to "people mattering". I have put together a concert/conference just
waiting for the true "community"...the "people" to step forward and assist me in "creating" it. This
concert/conference will now be dedicated to Tooker and to all others who have died thru struggling with
systems that don't work for the "people". Thank U 4 echoing so many sentiments I have had in my years on
this planet!
Best regards,
Bob (Steinhardt)
Jesta4Justiz
Founder and Chair: "It's About Time...and It's About People...and IT'S ABOUT TIME"
iatiapiat@rogers.com
79 Hohner Avenue Kitchener ON N2H 2V3
519/584-2766 (Home and Office)
519/573-8967 (Cell)
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Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 10:54 am Post subject: Love, positivity, understanding and forgiving our
enemies...
Reply with quote
Love, positivity, understanding and forgiving our 'enemies'...
Tim, thank you for your thoughts. Your words remind me of a quote:
"A loving person lives in loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world: everyone you meet is your
mirror." - Ken Keyes
Creating stronger community:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
Helping each other heal:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=73
Create community anywhere:
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
If I can find the time, I'll write more here later.
- Peter Blanchard
people@planetfriendly.net
Debbe Day Crandall
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 10:25 am Post subject: Tooker
Reply with quote
I was deeply saddened to hear that Mr Gomberg had died. I had never met him but knew of him from
someone who had worked with him in Edmonton. She was so generous in her prasie and personal liking of
him that I felt as though I would like him as well. Apparently he inspired a lot of people.
That he should succumb to such a deep and dark depression makes me very sad for him, for me and for us
all. While i can't imagine getting to that point, i can certainly relate to having those dark and hopeless
feelings and sometimes wonder why some people are affected more strongly by the 'human factor' than
others.
I'd like to send a heartfelt hug and tons of warm feelings to his friends and family with thoughts of spring
and the opening up of the earth and the unfurling of leaves.
I'll drink a toast of Irish whiskey to Tooker.
Debbe Crandall, Caledon, Ontario
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Ruairi
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 8:36 am Post subject: Respect from Ireland
Reply with quote
I only met Tooker twice and both times felt that I was in the presence of someone who had dedicated their
entire life and energy to making the world a better place for all people, beings and creatures.
Such people are rare, like priceless jewels, and I feel honoured to have met him and been inspired by him.
On both occasions however I also wondered If perhaps Tooker had given too much- as I observed his weary
soul…which appeared tired from trying.
On Saturday night, as news arrived in Ireland of Tooker’s death, we lit a candle for him in the hope that his
great work will go on to inspire, and that those who care -- don’t do so at the expense of their health and
their life (as so often happens).
And that those who are too busy with working, consuming, denying and ignoring - can somehow start to do
their bit for this little planet of ours.
Only then will balance be reached.
In memory of Tooker we’ll continue to stir it up and smile whilst doing so.
Peace
Ruairi
muscailt@yahoo.com
Bernard
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:53 pm Post subject: Thoughts from a friend in Montreal Reply with
quote
Originally posted to act-mtl list and resist.ca
Tooker Gomberg passes the torch : pioneering eco-activist's life taken by depression
Sunday March 7, 2004
In shock and sadness I learned from Tooker's long time partner Angela Bischoff that Tooker died last
Wednesday in Halifax. His bike was found on a bridge over Halifax harbour. Among Tooker's many
commitments was his anti-nuclear activism, his ecological initiatives and involvements with Le Monde à
Bicyclette and the Critical Mass ride movement. He was involved with social justice, anti-globalization and
international solidarity work, and was a committed activist journalist whose newspaper articles raised
popular consciousness about ecological problems and their solutions. He had participated in many
occupations, demonstrations and actions in North America and in Europe. In a business-as-usual world that
needs to be shaken up, Tooker was a wonderful trouble-maker. Anyone who has met and worked with him
will be able to say he was personable, funny, generous and filled with a love and understanding of life and
nature. I'm stricken with grief and my thoughts and feelings are with his parents, his brother Avi, his partner
Angela and others affected by his passing.
As his friend and a fellow activist, my experience is enriched by the work I did with Tooker. When Tooker
passed through Montreal, we would inevitably get up to some antics. I was aware that he'd been suffering
from depression for the last three years, but he nonetheless still had a passion for journalism and activism.
Last year, when Tooker came through town, he and I and my son took a video camera and went in search of
a lost stream on the north slope of Mount Royal. Traipsing through Outremont gardens and the cemetery
and informed by gardeners, we found the fabled rivulet that indeed still runs down the northern slope of
the mountain. It sometimes runs underground in a culvert, though when it runs through gardens, it's beauty
and ecological value is more evident.
When "Bicycle Bob" Silverman and I decided on a hot summer night to check how easy it is to peel up the
asphalt in a lane next to where we lived, and to turn this lane into our own "Oxygen Park" and let more rain
reach the roots of the three large linden trees, Tooker contributed his enthusiasm and labour along with
many others in the neighbourhood. We liked reminiscing about our "depaving" action.
Tooker Gomberg lived a life fuller than most of us ever will. In the places Tooker lived, ecological activism
benefited. He and Angela have made a lasting contribution to activism in Canada. In cities where Critical
Mass rides take place, people should consider wearing a black arm band in memory of Tooker's
commitment to cycling as urban transport.
Ecumenical memorial ceremonies are being planned in Edmonton, Toronto, Halifax and Montreal for latter
in March. You can send messages or get further information from tooker@web.ca, Angela will be checking
that email account. As more information becomes available, it will also be put online.
-Bernard
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:17 pm Post subject: Video Tribute to Tooker, Toronto, Tues Mar 9
Reply with quote
Video Tribute to Tooker, Toronto, Tues Mar 9
The recent passing of my friend Tooker has left me shocked and
saddened. Please join me this Tuesday before and after the regularly
scheduled program for a video tribute to this truly inspirational man.
- kelly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tues. Mar. 9, 5:00 - 7:00 pm -AND- 10:30 pm - close
Celts Pub, 2872 Dundas St. W (dnstrs)
VIDEO TRIBUTE TO TOOKER GOMBERG
Please bring your memories (and organic, non-gmo snacks) to share.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Gene-Action presents
Deconstructing Supper, plus
The Genetic Takeover
Food Security is one of the many issues Tooker and Angela fought
passionately for, including their support for the work of Gene-Action.
Proceeds from tonights screenings will go to the Tooker Gomberg
Memorial Fund. Created by his wife Angela and their close friends, this
fund will help activists continue their hard and joyous work of making the
world a better place.
Please fwd to any interested parties. thanks
- kelly
the rest of this email should contain:
Celts Pub address
schedule through Mar. 30
descriptions of vids. and directions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All (regular) Screenings are Tuesday night at Celts Pub,
in Toronto's west end.
2872 - Dundas St. W (dnstrs)
doors at 7, show starts 7:30
$5 or pay what you can
March 9 - Another Double Header with Gene-Action
The Genetic Takeover - plus - Deconstructing Supper
March 16 - in solidarity with Al-Awda ( http://www.al-awda.ca/ )
Jenin, Jenin
March 23.
Surplus - and - The Red Pill
March 30
The Great Deception
All Screenings are Tuesday night at Celts Pub, in Toronto's west end.
2972 - Dundas St. W (dnstrs)
doors at 7, show starts 7:30
$5 or pay what you can
-----------------------------------------------March 9 - Another Double Header with Gene-Action
Deconstructing Supper, plus
The Genetic Takeover
1. Deconstructing Supper
Dinner is served.
But what's in our food and how is it grown?
Renowned chef John Bishop leads viewers on an eye-opening and
engaging journey into the billion-dollar battle to control global food
production. Starting with a gourmet meal in his five-star restaurant,
Bishop travels the world -- from farmer's fields to biotech laboratories to
supermarket aisles -- on a personal
quest to find out what our food choices are.
With a hearty appetite for food and information, chef Bishop explores the
politics and ethics of food. He discovers that 70% of processed foods
on supermarket shelves in North America contain genetically modified
ingredients.
The handful of biotech companies who control genetically modified
seeds claim this is the only way to feed the world's growing population.
But are these foods safe? Are there other, less risky ways to feed
ourselves? Our chef finds answers to these compelling questions and
more.
>From North America to Great Britain to India and back, John Bishop
shares fascinating conversations and mouth-watering feasts with
farmers, such as Michael Ableman, scientists and activists, such as
Vandana Shiva. We see the actual transfer of DNA from bacteria into
canola plants, and meet Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser who is
battling the giant Monsanto Corporation. We learn startling information
about the milk we drink in North America and meet Indian
farmers and activists fighting to keep traditional farming practices alive.
Deconstructing Supper is a ride every contemporary eater will want to
take -- a thought-provoking and entertaining journey into the revolution in
modern food production, and its effects on our lives.
www.movingimages.ca
2. The Genetic Takeover
Have we become unwitting guinea pigs for multinationals who blithely
disregard millions of years of evolution? In just a few short years,
genetically modified plants have become part of our daily diet and are
already found in 75% of processed foods. This revolution has occurred
without consumer awareness and without the knowledge of potential
risks to our health and to the environment. Many scientists and farmers
vigorously condemn the absence of independent, adequate testing.
The Genetic Takeover casts a sober look at a potentially explosive
situation. In response to consumer demands, many European and
Asian countries have instituted mandatory labelling of genetically
modified foods. North America, however, has been slow to react.
In their relentless fight for profits, the industrial giants seem willing to
ignore basic safety rules. Can food crops, a vital element of the
collective wealth of this planet, remain at the mercy of private interests?
Guest speakers include Peter Skira, anti-gmo campaigner with
Gene-Action.
Please bring some certified organic (non-GMO) snacks to share
---------------------------------March 16 - in solidarity with Al-Awda ( http://www.al-awda.ca/ )
Jenin, Jenin
54 min, 2002
Winner: Best Film, Carthage International Film Festival
'Where is God,' an elderly man desperately wonders when surveying the
debris in the Palestinian refugee camp Jenin.
The film, directed and co-produced by Palestinian actor and director
Mohammed Bakri, includes testimony from Jenin residents after the
Israeli army's Defensive Wall operation, during which the city and camp
were the scenes of fierce fighting. The operation ended with Jenin
flattened and scores of Palestinians dead. Palestinians as well as
numerous human rights groups accused Israel of committing war
crimes in the April 2002 attack on the refugee camp.
"Jenin Jenin" shows the extent to which the prolonged oppression and
terror has affected the state of mind of the Palestinian inhabitants of
Jenin.
Bitterness and grief are the prevailing feelings among the majority of the
population. Many have lost loved ones or are still searching for victims
and furniture among the debris. A little girl, who does not seem to be
much older than twelve, tells her story but knows no fear. The ongoing
violence in her day-to-day life only nourishes her feelings of hatred and
the urge to take revenge. She tells what she would do to Prime Minister
Sharon if he visited the camp and she shouts that the Palestinians will
never give up the struggle. They
will keep on producing children, who can continue the fight against
injustice.
The sad question forces itself on the spectator. What will become of a
country, a people when its children are confronted with war and violence
from a very early age?
Banned in Israel, "Jenin Jenin" is dedicated to Iyad Samudi, the
producer of the film, who returned home to Yamun after the shooting of
the film was completed. On June 23, as Israeli forces besieged Yamun,
Samudi was shot and killed as he was leaving a military-closed area
with three friends.
check out this and other great films at www.arabfilm.com
--------------------------------------March 23.
Surplus, and
The Red Pill
--------------------------------------Surplus: Terrorized into being consumers
Why is the lifestyle of consumerism a source of such rage today?
How come the privilege of buying goods does not automatically lead to
happiness?
Why all this emptiness despite our wealth?
Surplus' approach is to portray this issue from an emotional rather than
a factual perspective: in the US, India, China, Italy, Sweden, Hungary,
Canada and Cuba. George W Bush's famous "shopping-speech"
calling for a war against terrorism that deters the nation from the fear of
consumption. Castro responding with hymns to the anti-consumerist,
advertising-free island of Cuba. Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer preaching
that the computer will give us peace on earth 'bringing people together'
while Adbuster Kalle Lasn warns that advertising pollutes us mentally,
that over-consumption is unsustainable and that we are running out of
oil.
Surplus main man is John Zerzan, controversial anti-globalization guru,
whose call for PROPERTY DAMAGE has inspired many to take to the
streets.
"That is not violence. Sitting there doing dope and watching MTV . Then
you go and get a job. Just schlep along. To me that is violence," says
Zerzan. "We are terrorized into being consumers."
for more on Surplus, go here:
http://www.atmo.se/?pageID=4&articleID=382
The Red Pill
'you've gotta see this!' - boiling frog
http://www.davidsheen.com/redpill/
--------------------------------------Mar. 30
The Great Deception
Producer Barrie Zwicker asks 'What really happened on September 11?'
Why didn't the White House, the Pentagon and the CIA succeed in
stopping the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington? Have the
mainstream media failed in their responsibility to ask searching
questions about the events of that day?
The Great Deception
Media critic Barrie Zwicker, the host of the Canadian TV show, "VisionTV
Insight: Mediafile," is one of the few North American journalists to offer
an alternative viewpoint on the Sept. 11 tragedy. In this provocative
six-part series of Mediafile commentaries, he challenges the official
explanation for the attacks and considers the troubling implications of
America’s new war.
Poring over a wealth of published material, Zwicker finds much that has
gone unexamined -- from the apparent breakdown of American air
defenses on Sept. 11, to the longstanding ties between U.S. intelligence
and Osama bin Laden. He also takes a hard look at the actions of
President George W. Bush in the midst of the crisis. And he ventures to
ask what role U.S. oil interests may have played in these events.
***
This screening kicks off the Truth Tour, in preparation for Phase Two of
the International Inquiry Into 9-11.
Toronto, May 30 - June 20, 2004.
http://www.911inquiry.org/
We will have a report back from Phase One of the International Inquiry,
which is taking place in San Francisco, March 26-28, 2004.
http://www.deceptiondollar.com/Inquiry911.htm
plus the latest news and developments on 911 activism.
[related links: www.planetfriendly.net/deception.html - ed]
===================================
All Screenings are Tuesday night at Celts Pub, in Toronto's west end.
2872 - Dundas St. W (dnstrs)
doors at 7, show starts 7:30
$5 or pay what you can
no-one turned away for lack of funds. Monies raised split between the
solidarity orgs and boiling frog's ongoing work.
Come early or stay late for a full menu and bar. (Celts Pub owners are
graciously providing the space for free!) The venue is unfortunately not
wheelchair accessable, but the main viewing lounge is non-smoking.
(Celts Pub is in The Junction, Toronto, just west of the Keele St. and
Dundas West* intersection. you can take busses north from either
Keele or Dundas West subways, or south from Keele and St. Clair Ave.
West)
* NOTE: Dundas West is north of Bloor at this point.
follow the links at boilingfrog.ca for maps to help you find your way. clue:
look under coming events
Thanks and I hope to see you at the shows.
if you want more details, call me 416-766-0218
- kelly
mmmm, it's warm in here! la la la
http://www.boilingfrog.ca
Adrian Hogendoorn
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 9:22 pm Post subject: We'll miss you Tooker
Reply with quote
I was completely shocked to learn that Tooker had passed. I met Tooker two years ago at an environmental
conference in Toronto geared towards youths. His speech was a turning point in my life. He was so
inspirational in every way- because of him, I call myself an environmental activist. He taught me so much in
the few moments that I knew him (he came back and we spoke one-on-one very briefly the following year).
I became Pro bike and anti-car because of Tooker, and I will miss his weekly emails that kept me up to date
with the "green" happenings in Toronto.
My condolences go out to his partner Angela, and to anyone who was touched by this great man. We'll miss
you Tooker, but we'll never forget you. I will never stop fighting for this planet, because I know in my heart
that you never did.
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 8:26 pm Post subject: Tooker having fun at OM, Killaloe, Cool Hemp Reply
with quote
Tooker having fun at OM, Killaloe, Cool Hemp
Tooker told me that OM Festival -- especially the week of preparations, volunteering, camping out -- was
what lifted him out of his first major depression. He said it was all the great, positive energy.
Such is the power of being outdoors, with people, participating, being positive.
Tooker, Angela and I drove and biked up to the Killaloe Fair later that summer. He was in good spirits.
Tooker had a lot of fun helping out at the Cool Hemp icecream stand, and other aspects of their small,
sustainable business. (Cool Hemp is based at Morninglory Farm in Killaloe, where Tooker & Angela lived for
a while last year).
Both OM and Killaloe are primarily music festivals, but they both have a strong grassroots, activism,
community feel. With the help of many volunteers and activists, they so far have avoided the
corporate/commercial compromise that has happened to so many music festivals.
Last summer, Planet-Friendly did a special edition on "Green & Healthy Summer Festivals, Retreats &
Grassroots Gatherings". We'll do one again this year, with a little help. If you hear of good events that are
related to Planet-Friendly themes, please post them on our calendar. The Calendar serves as a source for
the newsletter and special editions and is used by thousands of people.
The Planet-Friendly Calendar
www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/
Green & Healthy Summer Festivals, Retreats & Grassroots Gatherings
www.planetfriendly.net/summerfest.html (Follow its links to the event websites. Also, subscribe to the
P&PF newsletter to receive the 2004 edition: www.planetfriendly.net - subscribe form at top left)
Killaloe Kraft & Community Fair (outdoors, grassroots, folk music)
www.killaloefair.ca
OM Festival (mostly high energy and rave music, but I believe they also have an acoustic stage. They also
have great, grassroots workshops, a community kitchen, and it's all done by volunteers)
www.omfestival.ca www.omfestival.com
www.thelonerider.com/om.shtml
Cool Hemp www.coolhemp.com
Morningglory Farm and other Intentional Communities
www.silentpartners.ca/CEL/listing.html
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html
Learning Centres & Places
www.planetfriendly.net/learn.html
- peter blanchard
"A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world: everyone you meet is your
mirror." - Ken Keyes
sheila
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 8:05 pm Post subject: Tooker goodbye
Reply with quote
Tookers passing has helped me to redefine the necessity for positive ecological change. Most of the struggle
we face involves rather depressing statistics in regards to the plight of the earth and I think it is essential to
approach environmentalism from an extremely positive stance. Otherwise people wont be interested.
People are drawn to the uplifting. Lets try.
zAyla
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 7:47 pm Post subject: Tooker, A Trickster of Many Disguises Reply with
quote
I have so much to say about Tooker that I am almost afraid to begin. I spent a great deal of time with him
last year and the year before. He is so dear to my heart and I miss him immensely. We were very connected.
He was so revolutionary, I think. And he has left an incredible legacy of films, writing and spreading of the
energy of critical mass.
One of the funnest memories of him that I have is one of the last times we hung out. I had a stash of
clothing rescued from a movie shoot that had filled a dumpster full of designer clothes (
www.poetreekicks.com/clothinggraveyard -- follow the links to the part with Tooker) .... and we took these
shoes from it down to queen street with us trying to meet up with some friends who weren't at fressen but
had left a string of notes for us... we didn't find our friends but we made new ones walkingup to guys
checking out their feet ... to see if they were the same size and if the shoes seemed they were their style...
we were checking out the bouncers at bovine for example and it was just too hillarious... damn I am really
going to miss his hillarious ways.... we shot a lot of good video though and I hope to have some of it at the
OM festival to show. ( www.omfestival.com ) Tooker and Ang were at the last two OM festivals in Killaloe,
ON and were very much a part of my picture of OM. And our community (electronic dance community) had
also lost another great visionary this week so we are all getting hit with a double whammy of reality... What
is this really?
.. I really think that part of this picture here is not just that activists get isolated but also that artists in this
society, especially artist activists who have an anti-neo-colonialist economics message are castrated
financially and given very little forum within which to celebrate their work. Zed is one of those forums
however that we finally have, Tooker recently made a video about Buy Nothing Day that is posted there by
the way http://static.zed.cbc.ca/users/k/Kairos/files/BND.mov
I also had the crazy vision of our other brother Mike D. and Tooker getting together on the other side to
create some absolutely stellar after party for this life thing....
I will post more as it comes to me..
there cannot be enuff said...
I hope we can all get together soon.
I will not give up!!!
Green Shift
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 3:38 pm Post subject: Good-bye and thanks for your part Reply with
quote
You were a strong force that will be missed. I cannot pretend to know what lead to this final decision, only
that this fight that many of us have shared with you can at times feel very discouraging. I'm very sad to hear
that we have lost an important crusader and can only hope that others will follow your example and stand
up for justice, and a happier future for all.
With sadness,
Jennifer
Ryan Graham
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 3:22 pm Post subject: Tooker - A Cell Mate, Comrade and Friend
Reply
with quote
I first met Tooker in Orsainville jail in Quebec city during the 'Summit of the Americas' in 2001. It was during
the last couple days of my stay there that I had the pleasure of sharing a cell block with him. Tooker was a
very lively and charismatic personality. He had a flare for story telling and the many tales of his activist
exploits made the long hours of incarceration much more tolerable for my cell mates and I.
In Orsainville, Tooker played a vital role in the informal solidarity network that had spontaneously sprung
into action among the hundreds of isolated prisoners. Active in all the meetings and informal committees
that took place in our cell block, Tooker's bi-lingual abilities and energy were essential for information
sharing and collective activity that were so important to entire prison population. Tooker did not see his
incarceration as a personal problem to be overcome independently - but as a collective predicament shared
by all prisoners in the jail. This was a reflection of a personality that viewed the interests of all people as no
more important than his own - despite of the powerful ideologies of 'self-interest' and 'competition' that we
are all bombarded with.
Although I didn't agree with all of Tooker's politics, I have never doubted for a second his sincerity and
conviction to struggle for a better world. The time and energy Tooker dedicated towards that end was truly
monumental. I have encountered few people - if any, who were as willing to invest and sacrifice so much of
themselves for what they believed.
What is saddest of all is that Tooker's death is not an isolated incident resulting from some extraordinary
circumstances or (as some may presume) personal weaknesses. Rather he is just one more name to add to
the billions of nameless casualties of this de-humanizing class society. The social relations of capitalism
alienate not only human beings from one another - but also individuals from themselves. Capitalism is a
system that destroys humans physically as well as mentally. It kills the strong as well as the weak. This time
it claimed one of the strongest.
Goodbye Tooker,
Ryan Graham
david
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 2:42 pm Post subject: remember Tooker's Activist Elections course @ Free
UofT Reply with quote
[this was a course that Tooker & Angela offered in 2000 - ed]
ACTIVIST ELECTIONS: JUST DO IT
FUOFT03-002
Elections come around every year or two, and often many if not most people don't even bother to vote. But
through the political process we can bring about enormous change for the good. Largely overlooked in
elections is the opportunity to raise issues and ideas through low budget campaigns, guerilla tactics, humor,
and direct activism. The course will explore possibilities for raising issues of concern to our community, e.g.
smog, homelessness, healthy urban food production, racism, ecology and much more. Participants will learn
how to run an election campaign, how to raise issues publicly and in the media, how to prepare and
distribute leaflets, and much more. This is an action- oriented course. We will be talking about doing things,
and we will be doing things. The course would alternate with one week in a classroom setting, the next in a
campaign setting.
Angela Bischoff and Tooker Gomberg
Mondays, 7:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m.
October 2, 2000 - November 13, 2000
Sidney Smith Hall, Room 2129
----------------------------------Back to top
david
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 3:07 pm Post subject: Tooker, David & Angela at City Hall
quote
[remembering another Tooker event, in 2001 - ed]
Protest the Summit of the Americas
... May.10.2001 A number of citizens including Tooker Gomberg, David Melville and
Angela Bischoff attended a speakout and flyer handout at Toronto City Hall. ...
www.interlog.com/~command/quebec.htm - 101k - Cached - Similar pages
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Reply with
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 1:42 pm Post subject: events/commemoration planning in Toronto Reply
with quote
In Toronto, friends and admirers of Tooker are planning ways to "commerorate and celebrate everything
that Tooker was, did, and loved".
For updated info, see:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=93
Randy Kay
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 1:21 pm Post subject: Tooker Gomberg 1955-2004 Reply with quote
(By Randy Kay, recieved via e-mail, posted by Peter Blanchard)
----- Original Message ----- From: Randy Kay and Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko
To: mailto:Undisclosed-Recipient:@hwcn.org
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2004 4:49 PM
Subject: Tooker Gomberg
TOOKER GOMBERG 1955-2004
The wind is whipping dark clouds across the sky, grainy beams of sunlight stab through like searchlights.
It's unseasonably warm for March 5, 18 degrees in these global warming times.
A full moon ascends to dominate the troubled night sky.
And the news comes to me, Tooker is dead.
Tooker Gomberg, 48, took his own life, jumped from a bridge in Halifax.
I knew Tooker, as anyone active in environmental issues in Canada might.
He was a dynamo, creative, funny, daring, inspirational.
He also suffered from depression.
Hard to believe for those who knew Tooker through his public actions.
He was a powerful force for good, for the planet, and god knows we need more like him.
But Tooker was one of a kind.
When local activists invited Tooker to speak at a sustainable transportation series at the public library, he
wanted to come to town early to take part in a protest event. He wasn't one to merely talk, action was
integral to his being.
A few of us quickly scrambled to pull together an event to commemorate victims of car culture in the city.
On the day (three years ago this month) we held a memorial march from Wellington and King streets to City
Hall. Tooker walked down the left-hand lane of King Street with about 40 of us; at City Hall plaza he made a
speech. We presented a list of cyclist and pedestrian "demands" to a city councillor, then staged a mock diein.
Tooker had brought his ever-present bicycle with him on the GO bus from Toronto, having to argue his way
past newly enforced regulations outlawing bikes from being carried in the storage compartment of the bus.
He brought a banner, blood red with bold white lettering: "Stop the Carnage"- he brought his own bullhorn. He could almost be a one man revolution.
That night at the library he gave an entertaining, passionate, inspiring talk.
Next time I saw him, he and his partner Angela were helping with a demonstration in Toronto against
Ontario Power Generation (OPG), one of Canada's worst polluters - Tooker had his video camera with him
at the meeting, helping to record the little actions that make a difference, the actions that don't always
make it to the dailies or the network.
I knew he suffered from depression, had seen from a distance the terrible toll it took on him, sapping
energy from his body, numbing his enormous vitality.
I'll remember him at his best. His public life was lived like a hammer crashing on an anvil, when Tooker got
involved sparks would fly.
The sparks of his life have kindled smaller fires in the hearts of many others in places where he worked to
save and protect our sick planet, to creatively confront power where it had gone unchallenged.
Whether it was the day he got arrested in Montreal for sitting on an abandoned couch which he dragged
into a parking space at the side of the road, or his spirited run for the Mayor's chair in Toronto (he came
second to Mel Lastman), his term in office as an Edmonton, Alberta councillor, the time he burned his
passport in protest of Canada's shameful role in the UN Climate Change Conference in Den Haag, the
Netherlands (then got himself arrested for trespassing at a nuclear weapons base and deported back to
Canada), or delivering table scraps to Mayor Lastman's office after the cancellation of a city composting
program, Tooker was an inspiration, always pointing the way to a more liveable future.
In an article he wrote about activism, Tooker found inspiration in Henry David Thoreau's timeless essay "On
the Duty of Civil Disobedience."
Thoreau wrote "Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine."
Tooker answered "I take this as a license - indeed a duty - to push harder. To take chances. To be bold. To
cross the line."
He certainly, without fail, gave it his all.
The last communication I saw from Tooker was a comment he posted to Hamilton Indymedia, October 30,
2003. I had just reported on arrests occurring in Red Hill Valley.
Tooker wrote:"Just want folks to know that there are people all over the place that are with you in spirit.
Keep at it. Don't give up. The last thing this world needs is another expressway. In Halifax I'm with ya, Tooker."
Tooker's death is of course a tragic loss for those who knew and loved him.
But patient, abused Mother Earth has lost herself a dedicated son, and for that we should all mourn.
May his spirit live on.
(by Randy Kay)
charles
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 1:31 am Post subject: We will all missed him!
Reply with quote
I truly believed that he has touched the heart of all of us. I was only 16 at the time when Tooker runned for
Mayor of Toronto, although I was not allow to vote at the time, I plea to my parents to vote for him. I am
very proud that I have generate 2 vote among 50,000+ for Tooker.
Thank you my dear friend, and may god bless you in heaven!
Charles Huang
charles@bhnk.com
matthew hammond
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 1:00 am Post subject: i wish we could have shared more
Reply with
quote
tooker gomberg was an enigma, an inspiration, the greatest of men. this is extra remarkable becuase of his
small stature but he more than compensated with the biggest of hearts.
perhaps it is those with such big hearts, who can't help but see - and feel - so many problems are perhaps
most prone to depression. anyone who has really been depressed knows how consuming and hopeless it
leaves; anyone who hasn't needs to know that it must have been really bad for tooker to choose this and
that we can be thankful at least that the pain he felt is no longer.
i met tooker several times; each exchange was so meaningful, inspiring, uplifting. though we only spent a
few hours together in the most seemingly random of places, a street festival, city council chambers, an
outdoor rave... perhaps it was such diveristy and openess - searching for and spreading hte message
everywhere to everyone, all the time - that defined who tooker gomberg really was. he truly embodied a
better future, and that will be how i remember him.
his work and endeavours should push us all to be better, to one-up the king of walking the talk. the man
behind parking meter parties, bringing grass to reclaim the streets, perhaps the person most responsible for
catalysing a change with how we deal with our waste both now and into the future...
send your love to angela and to all those who knew tooker. and keep some for yourself to strengthen you
for all your future battles, that he'd want i'm sure.
Bob
Guest
PostPosted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 11:52 pm Post subject: energized by Tooker
Reply with quote
I met Tooker when he came here to Kitchener to partake in one of our Critical Mass bike rides and broke
bread with him at Muses Cafe. We talked for only a short while before his bus left 4 T.O. and yet, in that
short time, I was so energized by Tooker that I was impelled to create an action; I do not remember what it
was though and it doesn't matter. What matters is that here was one human being being and giving energy
to another in the spirit of humanity.
I believe that Tooker, like me, was a sensitive soul who was saddened by the actions of the majority of this
world and who constantly cried out against the injustices he saw and felt very deeply. While the DSM-IV
(essentially created by drug manufacturers) lists certain criteria for the label "depression" (and its various
manifestations)...I believe in my heart that there are those of us, for whom on a cellular level, those
"criteria" do not accurately reflect the disharmony with a world totally out of synch with its "natural"
rhythms. It is so easy for those who are "not in control" to attempt to "control" those of us who are.
I say to Tooker...thank U for what U gave me that afternoon and for "paying it forward". Thank YOU 4 the
stand U took for people and the environment mattering. Thank YOU for the respect and caring U showed.
Thank YOU 4 being who and what U were and still are! Thank U 4 U!
Eiron
Guest
PostPosted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 11:09 pm Post subject: sad sad day Reply with quote
wow,
i can't say that I personally knew Tooker, but I saw him campaign in the mayoralty race when I lived in
Toronto. I voted for him. Of course his bid was a long shot, but i think fifty thousound people cast their vote
for him--maybe someone could correct me if they know the right figure--and that's a lot of people to have
hoping you'll run their town.
I saw him shopping at the food co-op where i shopped. One of his campaign helpers was always there as
well. Tooker was inspiring: challenging our hapless mayor to actually consider important environmental
issues, living the life he professed to others, riding his bicycle around the city, rallying the green thinkers to
make their voices loud and cohesive to enact real change for our collective futures. If he is gone, his
presence will be sadly missed, but his actions of the past will continue to inspire others, including me.
E Arner
alison
Guest
PostPosted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 9:59 pm Post subject: ... Reply with quote
I see that a lot of people are reading and not posting, so I thought I'd start.
Thank you, Peter, for setting this up. I appreciate knowing that I am not alone in my feelings about Tooker
and his death, and in a small way it mitigates the feelings isolation and despair that this news brings.
I didn't know Tooker all that well, but the time I spent with him at the activist support group awhile back
was very meaningful to me. In the group Tooker talked about his depression and allowed many of us to do
the same because of his braveness and openness about it.
I wish we hadn't let it fall apart - Peter started such a good thing, but we didn't follow it up. I guess we all
felt that we had more urgent things to do. But I know that there is nothing more urgent than supporting
and sustaining each other.
Depression is a mental illness, and one shouldn't fall into the thinking that "if only i had done" this or that,
this wouldn't have happened. But I don't think that anyone can deny that a more supportive and nurturing
community would certainly make a difference in many of our lives.
Tooker was such a kind man, an inspiration and such a positive presence in so many lives.
Goodbye Tooker.
I'm sorry.
Peter Blanchard
Site Admin
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 4:20 pm Post subject: Tooker Gomberg missing, presumed dead
with quote
Friends,
Reply
It is with great sadness that I report that Tooker Gomberg, writer, politician and environmentalist, is missing
and presumed dead.
All indications are that he took his life on March 4th. He leaves behind his partner, Angela Bischoff.
Originally from Montreal, Tooker spent time in Edmonton and Toronto before moving to Halifax in 2003.
Tooker was an inspired writer, activist and green crusader. He touched the lives of many -- through his
Greenspiration project, his remarkable mayoral campaign in Toronto, and many many other projects and
writings.
To learn more about Tooker, to read his writings, ideas, news coverage and discussion, please see the links
below.
Planetfriendly.net has created an on-line discussion forum where you can share your thoughts and feelings
about Tooker, his life and ideas. To see the posts and discussion, or to add your own comments, go to:
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg
Groups in Halifax, Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton are planning memorials. If you hear the details of any
public gatherings, please post them on the above forum.
We've also created a forum for your thoughts on how to create stronger, more supportive community for
environmentalists, activists and everyone who is working for a better, more sustainable world:
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
Any announcements, updates or discussion related to this message will be posted on the forum.
- Peter Blanchard people@planetfriendly.net
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/
RELATED NEWS, LINKS, DISCUSSION, COMMUNITY
Tooker Gomberg - Online Discussion Forum & Announcements
www.planetfriendly.net/gomberg
Globe & Mail - Tooker Gomberg presumed dead: full story
Greenspiration -- Tooker & Angela's "around-the-world
odyssey documenting and sharing inspiring ecological stories"
www.greenspiration.org
Tooker Gomberg -- Writings and Links
www.greenspiration.org
www.google.com/search?q=%22tooker+gomberg%22
http://news.google.com/news?q=%22tooker+gomberg%22
Being an Activist, Changing the World
www.greenspiration.org/Article/TenCommandments.html
www.sierraclub.ca/national/activist.html
www.planetfriendly.net/enviro.html
Caring too much, caring too little, by Peter Blanchard
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=82
www.abbeyweb.net/quotes.htx?query=paragraph&op=search
www.planetfriendly.net/health.html#stress
Creating Stronger Community -- Links, Resources, Discussion
www.planetfriendly.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18
www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
"Take care of yourself and each other" - Tooker Gomberg