This abduction business is getting worrisome, as is crime in general. Concerned people are especially perturbed by the amount of children that are victims of what seems like a crime spree.

We might be a bit heartened if the people responsible for going after the criminals seemed more competent and proactive. But their pronouncements of late have given us anything but comfort.

The insidious thing about crime is that its impact is so intrusive. Even those who have not been touched by crime live with it constantly, in conversations and in the way it reorders our activities. So when I see a car parked outside my house, often to take advantage of the shade from the trees, I inquire of the driver his business there if too much time has passed. I’m also a bit more careful at night now when I drive in certain communities.

Worse than anything, crime’s intrusiveness is patently evident in the time it is now resident in our consciousness. It occupies too much thought, stealing from us valuable time for better things in our lives.

I suspect though, that people want a sense of community to help them understand what the hell is going on in the world’s financial markets. They are fearful of the likely impact in Jamaica where remittances and visitor stopover determines what action there is in our economy.

Christopher’s is ideal for feeling the pulse of corporate Jamaica. On tab there last Friday night were credit cards from several top companies. Amid the networking and ogling, however, there were heated conversations about what the US meltdown means.

There is deep concern for Jamaica’s economy if things in the United States and elsewhere get funkier. A depression north of us will bite hard.

Many businessmen already see a tightening in this market. Receivables have begun to lag, and there is extreme caution in planning new projects.

Those of us who earn a living in marketing, advertising and web development are particularly sensitive to these signs. Our not so mission critical services are usually the first items on the expenditure chopping block.

Danville Walker

Forsaking all diplomatic language, he told his audience of mostly CEOs: “If you have been involved in things you shouldn’t be involved with, stop!” He promised those who don’t heed the warning: “I am going to catch you and I am going to embarrass you. We will throw the book at you.”

No one doubts his sincerity. He has already proven himself to be a tireless public servant and showed quickly in his first month on the job that customs will no longer be a centre of corruption. How he arrived at this ethical and moral juncture having started as a baker when he returned from his studies abroad may be the subject of someone’s UWI thesis.

Recently, however, it’s become more tedious than usual because more than a few of the requests for proposals might be called false alarms. These seemingly prospective clients aren’t really interested in what Panmedia has to offer. They are sending us an RFP simply to fulfill procurement requirements. These tender requirements are Jamaica’s worst blow to business productivity.

In a way, we don’t mind if someone asks us a favor in that kind of situation. Knowing the purpose of the exercise saves us time and our expectations are nil. But most of those people with such needs are usually in no mood for honesty.

To protect our valuable time and avoid rancor we now interview prospective clients with a rigor that elicits righteous indignation when their motives are not pure. When they object too strenuously to our questioning then we know to take a pass.