Colorado Bonsai – The Story of “The Elephant” Bonsai Part I. By Hans van Meer.
Here is a great video full of wiring and bending tips on Bonsai. It shows it as part 1, but I have not been able to find a part 2. I have posted this great video under Wiring and Bending Techniques which is in Bonsai Basics. It is also posted on the Larch/Larix page under Confiers.
Those aerial roots on the left should go.
You might have a good point unless they have a lot of fine roots on them needed to keep the tree alive or perhaps to keep it from flopping over more on the left side?