cognitively speaking, elephants are very similar to young children. they're in this unique middle point of intelligence that makes torturing them amongst the most heinous crimes imaginable for the precise reason that most people would consider torturing a child to be worse than torturing an adult - full awareness, without full understanding.
this isn't a secondary issue. this shit just has to stop.
Fiona K
"Heinous," yes ... Dude, have you looked at your online handle? WTF.
deathtokoalas
elephants are intelligent creatures that we can look forward to cohabiting the universe with.
koalas are despicable in their revolting displays of cuteness, and must be abolished.
Fiona K
Okay, DTK, you made me laugh. :) I was pretty sure how you intended us to take your name, anyway. I think, though, that elephants are not similar to young human children; they're far smarter. But even if they were only as smart as cats, or mice, most animal lovers would say exactly what you said. Even one tortured elephant is too many. Remember the story by Ursula K. LeGuin, "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas"? It's the perfect explanation and indictment of any society that allows the torture of one living being so that everyone else can live happily. I grew up with friends from New Delhi, and I am shocked that their home country can produce elephants and also produce sadists who don't understand the simplest concepts of rights. DTK, thanks for writing; you really did make me laugh.
