Joanne Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Stephanie
>
> I wrote:
>
> > > The observation of the dog's behavior
> is
> > simply
> > > that: observation. What I'm commenting
> on as
> > a
> > > "western" outlook is the sense I get
> that you
> > are
> > > reaching for a fact-based, reliable,
> > demonstrable
> > > western scientific type explanation of
> the
> > > phenomena here. The fact that some of
> your
> > > husband's relatives hold certain view
> does
> > not
> > > make the views any less Western or
> modern.
>
> You answer:
>
> > I'm sorry but you're wrong to invalidate my
> > husband's family's view in such a manner.
> You are
> > relying on assumptions made by western or
> modern
> > culture in regards to skinwalkers (ie the
> > comparison of a skinwalker to a "navajo
> > werewolf").
>
> Not at all. First of all, I'm not invalidating
> your husband's family's view. However, I do
> distinguish between an observation and a
> hypothesis about an effect. As I wrote on the
> other thread, what keeps coming through in your
> posts is a search for a practical Western
> explanation, a scientific explanation for all you
> have observed. I wrote in another post that an
> effect on dogs would be expected since the
> skinwalkers have the coyote power, and I notice
> you did comment on that. However, wouldn't the
> coyote power explain this also?
>

It doesn't seem a search for a explanation but a list of similar occurences not in connection with skinwalkers.
IF she stated, and stayed, with only one side(navajo) reasons for these happenings wouldn't that be an incorrect method of examination? She is posting both sides of the situation and this allows everyone not familiar with the skinwalker situation to get a clearer picture of what is happening at the time.
Steph's attempt to point out similar situations(nightshine in feral children) doesn't seem an attempt to explain away what is happening but a means of showing that not all that is happening with regards to skinwalkers is supernatural!
A lifetime(from a very small child to adult age) in the training of being a skinwalker would include practice in these arts, so the experience to achieve these amazing feats would be common occurences(everyday events) for the skinwalker but supernatural(not normal) for the rest of the people around.

Years of running around on all fours will build up the musculature around the knees and legs. The constant nighttime activity will allow the eyes to adapt(some cases of nightshine reported). The use of hides(possible scent glands) and a substance to distort the features(possibly containing scents) along with noise(flute) to further disturb and confuse animals and humans alike do not fall under the realm of supernatural! OF course the skinwalkers could be materializing from the past and are actually around in the daytime too but just as the true animal forms and are sleeping in dens/caves just like the animals they mimic or actually are the animals and at night they are turning into a type of humanoid to get "payback" for all the past wrongs to their animal ancestors.
It is obvious what above would be classified under supernatural events and what would be classified under natural events.

These do not deny any supernatural aspect but actually help prove that the things, that seem far fetched, are actually possible! So by her pointing out other instances of the same thing she is proving skinwalkers are well within the realm of being natural without resorting to what some "western mindsets" would paint as mumbo jumbo!

Regards,
Lobo-hotei
lobo



Treat the earth well, It was not given to you by your parents, It was loaned to you by your children.
Native American Proverb