Investing in the Future June 26, 2006

The Luken Investment Group (USA) is a full service financial planning concern based in Franklin, Tennessee and is managed by my cousin Gregory. I highly recommend his advice and counsel. http://www.lukeninvestmentgroup.com/about_usbio.html

The sole purpose of investing is to plan for a desired outcome at a later date. The Luken Investment Group (Afghanistan) seeks short and long term securities of a different type, i.e., my not being, shot, kidnapped, or IED’d, in addition to more traditional financial and personal interests.

Upon arrival to Afghanistan I realized the need for intelligence in addition to the untimely advisories from our attentive friends at the U.N. (“A bomb targeted the Minister of Poppy Production several hours ago, run and hide). This is in addition to the standard briefing of “Don’t go anywhere, don’t do anything unless you are working for us”. At least our Embassy offers useful suggestions.

That in mind, upon arrival, I immediately solicited local informants to gather intelligence that would permit me to safely travel the local area around my home to minimize above mentioned threats. To date, my best undercover informants employ the cover of 12yo shoeshine boys who wander our street waiting for us pilots and the Spanish Ambassador for a quick shine, car and bike wash. For a pair of shoes, blue jeans and an occasional Coke, I have the pulse of the nation and know of threats well ahead if time.

My second line of defense are the teenaged armed gunmen now sleeping just outside my gate. They are kids who are able to earn $150/mo and still be able to go to school. I try and be as nice as possible, offer them fruit and soda and hope that if the Taliban shows up in the neighborhood, they at least do not join them. Actually, I have a quiet confidence in their skills as they at least always have their Kalishnakof on their shoulder. I’ve also taken to enjoying tea with some older police perched at the street corner. One has a brother in New York and is always asking me questions about visiting. They are the ones that the younger kids look towards so it is worth the occasional risk to sit in their shack and enjoy some nan bread and mutton. Again, in investing short term sacrifices for long term gain are necessary.

My last and long-term line of defense is more obscure. I have taken to giving our aluminum cans to the grubby little girls wandering the streets with tiny plastic bags and unkempt hair. Unlike the boys, they speak no English and it appears to me that they are held in lower value in this culture. Basically, they face a future of illiteracy and would be the ones to marry or eventually bear a suicide bomber. I’ve also taken to giving them candy when they fight over the cans and recently took them on a shopping spree for new shoes. The modest amount spent on five of them hopefully
will plant a seed that Americans are decent at heart. Of course, taking women of any age in any culture shopping for shoes is a major risk, one that had my driver in stitches, as I was herding cats across the street. This far, everyone is happy with their shoes!

As you may know, the Fizi family has had me into their home on several occasions and I recently was able to assist them in acquiring a permit to sell the family made carpets to ISAF forces here in Kabul on Fridays. In addition, there has been a modest investment in some carpets for sale in downtown Kabul where everyone I have taken is mesmerized by the selection and Afghan hospitality. I’m not expecting much in return, but the family is very happy to see Omar, 18, finally earn a living.

Lastly, and for purely selfish reasons, my coaching of track athletes here in Kabul is too an investment. I promised the boys that I’d come to Beijing in two years should any of them participate in the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. I hope that investment pays off.

JLH
 

Luken Security Forces

Carpet Makers

Afgan Children