I meant to post some thoughts on this last week, but things came up. It’s actually a fairly simple observation.
Compare the causes, reactions and results in the US (failed attempts to regulate, Aramcoma flouting the law, “We did not receive the miracle we were praying for,” no survivors, “worst in decades”) and in China (scores rescued, “3,000 people have been working round the clock for eight days,” “our rescue plan has been effective,” stepped-up regulation by enforcing the rules) to their various mine disasters.
Which one looks like a responsible, capable, functioning government?
Automatic Ballpoint 
But the reactions speak to expectations based on history… the last time (in February) there was a mine disaster in China 74 people died… and the deadliest earthquake in American history (1906) wouldn’t even make the list over there.
The last line of the article says it all-
“According to official figures, 2,631 coal miners died in 1,616 mine accidents in China in 2009, down 18% from the previous year.”
Oh, you’re right, I’m totally hyperbolizing and leaving out context. But I guess what I really am pointing at is the appearance of dueling trajectories – perceived legitimacy is everything.