Last week, a Sudanese woman named Kola Boof made headlines worldwide with her claims of a relationship with terrorist mastermind Osama Bin-Laden. Now, another woman - this time an American - has stepped forward to describe her experiences with the world's most wanted man.
While the happenings in Boof's tale allegedly took place a decade ago, Karen Maroney - a thirty-three-year-old customer service representative from Reno, Nevada - writes of a romance with Bin-Laden that commenced after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks that brought the Al-Qaeda leader household infamy.
I spoke with Ms. Maroney via phone earlier this evening:
Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
Hello. So how exactly did you, an American, come to meet Mr. Bin Laden?Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Through Craigslist.Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
That seems implausible. Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Oh no, I've met lots of people through there. If you're single, you should definitely check it out. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
But Osama Bin-Laden? Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Yes.Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
He responded to your ad?Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
No, I responded to his. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
What did it say?Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Well, keep in mind, this was over a year ago, and I'm not one who saves things but it said something like: "Tall, wealthy, likes to travel. Seeks obedient Westerner. Must be STD-free and hate the scourge of Zionism. No BBWs pls." Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
And you responded to that?Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Sure, why not?Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
And how did you find out it was him? Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
He sent me a picture, and I said, "Are you that guy on CNN?" He was kind of bashful at first, but after a while he admitted it. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
Wait - he e-mailed you a picture? Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
No. It was through his camera phone.Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
He has a camera phone?Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Yeah - do you have one?Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
Not important. Beyond all that, when did this flirtation turn romantic?Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
When he opened up to me about his health. The last few years have been really rough on him, he told me. Because of this, he said if we ever met, he might not be able to "perform" as he might like. And, well...I saw a different side of him. He was vulnerable, and real to me for the first time. What can I say? I'm a woman. I just wanted to reach through the Motorola, wipe that mountain dust off his beard, and say, "Osamie, you don't have to hide anymore. This time, you've been found. By me."
Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
Very revealing. And in its own way, very touching. And you say that you did meet eventually?
Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Yes. We met at the Bellagio. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
In Vegas?Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Yes. We didn't hit any of the casinos; he's very strict about that. But he was there. Not alone; he was with his posse. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
Who was in his "posse"?Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Well, a bunch of guys. But there were four of us in the room that night: me, Osama, Saddam Hussein and Mohamed Atta. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
And this was last year? Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Thereabouts. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
That can't be. Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Like I told you, I don't know all the dates. But I know what I saw...and what I felt. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
Well, ok. You know, coincidentally, there's another woman with a book, Kola Boof, who claims to have had an affair with Bin-Laden. Do you believe her?
Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Oh no, she's a total liar. Didn't she say he was obsessed with Whitney Houston?Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
Yes. Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
I happen to know he much prefers Alicia Keys. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
Interesting.I guess a big question we've overlooked in all this: have you ever been contacted by the FBI?
Karen Maroney, author - I Loved Osama
Yes. Shortly after my book's publication was announced, they told me they were looking for Arabic translators. Lombaire Fan, writer/editor/artist/raconteur
Karen Maroney, thanks for talking to me. And good luck.
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