1982 02 00 OMNI - Jack Thornton - Cash Landrum

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: February 1982
Price: $2.50
Publisher: OMNI Publications International Ltd.

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated February 1982, features a striking cover with a zebra, pyramids, and a celestial sphere, hinting at themes of the unknown and altered states of consciousness. The main cover headline announces an "EXCLUSIVE: NEW DIMENSIONS IN DEATH," promising a "CLINICAL VIEW OF WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE TO DIE...AND COME BACK."

Communications

The "Letters" section includes several reader contributions. William J. Reynolds praises OMNI's "Open Mind" approach, particularly an article on "Religion in the Twenty-first Century," appreciating the magazine's ability to bridge science and religion. Michael Milanovich writes to correct an error in a previous article, asserting that Nikola Tesla was Serbian, not Croatian, based on his father's Serbian Orthodox priesthood. The editorial staff acknowledges the source but maintains their deduction based on the New Columbia Encyclopedia. Robert Patrick Hussey expresses pride in the space program, funded by his tax dollars, and contrasts the positive outlook of OMNI with the often negative tone of daily newspapers. Lyn Marquardt shares her emotional connection to the space program, from childhood sonic booms to the moon landing, and finds OMNI a monthly reminder of positive progress.

Anti-Matter: UFO Update

The "Anti-Matter" section focuses on a UFO sighting and its aftermath. The article, "UFO Update," details an incident on the evening of December 29, 1980, involving Betty Cash, her assistant Vickie Landrum, and Landrum's grandson, Colby. While driving home in Dayton, Texas, they witnessed a diamond-shaped object, described as the size of a hot-air balloon, emitting bright yellow flames. After the object moved away, they later encountered it again, surrounded by approximately 23 helicopters. Subsequently, all three individuals became severely ill with symptoms including nausea and diarrhea, which they attributed to the object. Betty Cash contacted NASA, which referred her to John Schuessler, an engineer at McDonnell Douglas and a member of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). Schuessler, initially skeptical, visited Cash and was convinced that something serious had occurred. He became a sort of "rabbi" for the trio, obtaining their medical records. With the help of physicians, he learned that their symptoms could be caused by radiation. Schuessler speculated that the craft was an experimental U.S. military vehicle that malfunctioned and emitted radiation. The helicopters were possibly there to recover the craft if it crashed. Schuessler's attempts to get information from government and military officials were met with silence, with one pilot admitting the object was classified. The article concludes by stating that as of its publication, all three victims were deteriorating, with Vickie Landrum becoming blind in one eye, and both she and Colby requiring further hospital tests. The piece is attributed to Jack Thornton and Pamela Weintraub.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of OMNI magazine demonstrates a consistent editorial stance of exploring the frontiers of human knowledge and experience, particularly in areas that intersect science, technology, and the unexplained. The cover story on "New Dimensions in Death" suggests a willingness to tackle profound and often taboo subjects with a scientific or clinical lens. The "UFO Update" article exemplifies OMNI's commitment to investigating purported anomalous phenomena, presenting detailed accounts and expert analysis, while also highlighting the challenges of obtaining official information. The inclusion of reader letters on topics ranging from religion and science to space exploration indicates an engagement with a diverse readership and a broad spectrum of intellectual interests. The magazine appears to foster a sense of wonder and curiosity, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional understanding, while grounding these explorations in reported facts and expert opinions where possible.