The current plight of the Costa Concordia recalls a comment made by Sir Winston Churchill.
After his retirement he was cruising the Mediterranean on an Italian cruise liner and some Italian journalists asked why an ex-British Prime Minister should chose an Italian ship.
"There are three things I like about being on an Italian cruise ship," said Churchill, first their cuisine is unsurpassed. Second their service is superb, and then, in time of emergency, there is none of this nonsense about women and children first!"
