Lowered Expectations

Simply doing your job, and demanding that others do so as well is now heroic. [Link]

Italian social networks on the Internet are singing the praises of De Falco, who tirelessly coordinated the rescue effort.

The tragedy had made De Falco "burst into tears with anger," his commanding officer told the Rome-based daily La Repubblica.

"Yes, I’m crying," the port authority chief was quoted as saying. "But I don’t think I’m being weak. Compassion is not weakness."

His attitude is in stark contrast to that of the captain now being blamed for the disaster and whom Italian prosecutors are seeking to indict.

Unable to conceal his anger on the night of the accident, De Falco told Schettino: "Go aboard and tell me how many people are on board - whether there are women and children and people in need."

A volley of expletives and threats followed as the port authority chief tried to get the captain to follow his orders.

The Internet community began hailing De Falco as a hero even while he was still coordinating the rescue effort. Headlines appeared on Twitter such as, "De Falco for president" and "Santo subito" ("Saint now!"), to the amazement of his wife.

"People who simply live up to their everyday responsibilities are suddenly becoming idols, personalities and heroes in this country," she commented with some concern.