The difference between us and them

You know, the problem with the cowboy mythos is that you can't tell stories like this:

BEIJING, Jan. 7 -- During his new year visit to Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Premier Wen Jiabao urged that safety must be improved this year to avoid mining accidents. The premier even shed tears with the family of a dead miner as he listened to their memories of the deceased. Below are excerpts of comments incited by this moving scene.

. . .

Wen conveyed his sympathy for those who have suffered from accidents. His tears were not only for the victims of the Tongchuan coal mine disaster, but also for other lives lost in the country's frequent coal mine accidents caused by low-level human error.

. . .

www.rednet.com.cn: During his new year visit to the families of victims who died in the Chenjiashan Coal Mine gas explosion, Premier Wen Jiabao shed doleful tears for those who lost their beloved relatives. His tears moistened this afflicted land and warmed the hearts of all Chinese, who can now feel cared for and cherished by the government.

From Premier Wen's tears, we see how in touch he is with the feelings of the nation. His dining with on-duty miners in a coal shaft about 1,300 metres underground, his tears for the boy who lost his father in a major coal mine accident and his pledge to help poor miners overcome any adversity, all demonstrated his love for the people and his low-profile manner.

From Premier Wen's tears, we see his willingness to become close to grass-roots communities. He vows to bear all tribulations together with the people and he bravely shoulders the responsibility of the successive coal mine disasters.

From Premier Wen's tears, we see his resolution and expectations. He stressed the importance of improving coal mine safety and went deep into a mine for an inspection. His words and deeds displayed the nation's firm stance on promoting production safety.

Showing more concern for the grievances of common people and sharing their trials are what government officials should learn from Premier Wen.

. . .

Instead we get read-it-and-weep stories like this:

It hurled like a cannonball into Dennis and Cindy Davidson's house, right through the wall of the bedroom and onto the bed where 3-year-old Jeremy was sleeping.

The huge boulder continued its path, crashing through a closet before finally stopping at the foot of 8-year-old Zachary's bed. Zachary would be fine. Jeremy was crushed to death.

. . .

The A&G work crew did not learn about it until an hour later, when a mechanic driving home at the end of his shift passed the Davidsons' house and saw the ambulance. After asking what had happened, he returned to the mountaintop to alert his co-workers.

The [mining] agency contends that Jeremy Davidson died not because the laws were lax but because existing laws and rules were broken. It has accused A&G of "gross negligence."

. . .

Many residents are angry at the agency, believing it has failed to protect them. Some never complained, saying they knew that nothing would come of it. Local legislators appointed by Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) to a panel overseeing the investigation said they were struck by the level of frustration.

"Not only are they down on the coal companies, they're down on DMME," said Sen. Phillip P. Puckett (D-Russell), who attended a four-hour meeting with residents last month. "The last thing they said to us was, 'Thank you for coming and hearing us, but we don't think you're going to do anything.' There's an issue of credibility."

Try crying, Phil. It works for Wen.

I'll bet Bush's approval rating would go up if he'd let a couple of tears dribble down his chin now and then. No one would need to know he was weeping because the pet goat foiled the robber and saved the day. Come on Bush--where's the love? Put some compassion in compassionate conservatism.