tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542790583452796221.post6331081812717095508..comments2023-02-04T20:41:53.793-05:00Comments on Reflections from India: Blessed by an ElephantUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542790583452796221.post-80604088053610794362012-01-06T19:30:17.461-05:002012-01-06T19:30:17.461-05:00Thank you, Dr. Kent, for taking the time to commen...Thank you, Dr. Kent, for taking the time to comment on my comment! I hope you will permit me to take up the discourse again! I'll admit my initial comment took on a somewhat "lawyerly" tone, but I was actually reflecting more deeply. If, for instance, an elephant is publicly or socially or religiously perceived as having the ability to "bless" or worst case scenario, &Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542790583452796221.post-2581520947985572252012-01-05T22:36:37.231-05:002012-01-05T22:36:37.231-05:00Anonymous - it's interesting that from an Amer...Anonymous - it's interesting that from an American point of view (admittedly I make an assumption here) among the first things one thinks about is liability and danger. Mahouts, or traditional elephant trainers, are incredibly skilled men, highly sensitive to the moods and needs of 'their elephants.' Elephants CAN be dangerous - see Charles Siebert,s heartbreaking work on Eliza Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15665545830779259097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542790583452796221.post-90796173433484998272012-01-05T10:38:59.989-05:002012-01-05T10:38:59.989-05:00this may be beautiful outwardly, but it leaves me ...this may be beautiful outwardly, but it leaves me with deep questions: if an elephant may or can " bless" may or can it or she also "curse"? Had it stepped on a child while intermingling in the crowded temple, would the typical Indian "worshipper" have accepted that as "an act of god" sans human responsibility, or would the trainer be held liable? And Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542790583452796221.post-22849868757140884612012-01-04T20:17:19.061-05:002012-01-04T20:17:19.061-05:00What a beautiful moment!What a beautiful moment!Eddie Watkinsnoreply@blogger.com