1987 11 00 OMNI - Jerome Clark - MJ12

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue: Vol. 10, No. 11
Date: November 1987
Price: $3.00
Publisher: Omni Publications International Ltd.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of OMNI magazine features a striking cover depicting a close-up of a human eye with a zipper at the corner, hinting at hidden realities and the power of imagination. The cover headlines promise a diverse range of topics, including "The New Science of Imagination," "When Robots Rule the World," "A Martian Chronicle: Aldrin's Dreamship," and a practical guide on "How to Make Your Own Superconductors."

UFO Update: The MJ-12 Document Controversy

The centerpiece of this issue's investigative reporting is the "UFO UPDATE" section, focusing on the controversial MJ-12 document. Ufologist William Moore brought this document to public attention, claiming it arrived in December 1984 as an eight-page National Security briefing dated November 18, 1952. The document's purported purpose was to inform President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower that the U.S. government had recovered the remains of two alien craft and four small, humanlike alien beings.

According to the document, the first craft was recovered in July 1947 from a remote area northwest of Roswell, New Mexico. The same reconnaissance mission reportedly located the bodies of four small, humanlike beings, described as badly decomposed due to predators. A second UFO crash is alleged to have occurred along the Texas-Mexico border, but the object had been incinerated by the time researchers arrived.

The document further claims that President Truman authorized an investigation into alien artifacts under the code name "Operation Majestic Twelve." Alleged original members of this operation included Vannevar Bush (chief science adviser), Defense Secretary James Forrestal, and Harvard astronomer Donald Menzel, a known UFO debunker during his lifetime.

Confirming evidence for the MJ-12 document's existence was reportedly found at the National Archives in 1985: a memo from July 14, 1954, sent to General Nathan Twining (an alleged MJ-12 member) by President Eisenhower, referring to an MJ-12 briefing. UFOlogist William Moore and nuclear scientist Stanton Friedman have publicly stated they are "ninety percent convinced" the document is real. Moore claims to have received information about MJ-12 from "Deep Throat" military intelligence sources. Friedman has been investigating the backgrounds of MJ-12 members and tracking their movements, citing evidence of meetings between Bush, Forrestal, and the President.

However, the MJ-12 document is not universally accepted. Brad Sparks, who has studied official UFO documents for two decades, dismisses it as a "complete hoax," pointing to inaccuracies in dates and locations related to the Roswell incident information that first appeared as a misprint. Friedman counters critics by stating they haven't conducted sufficient investigation. Moore has promised to reveal more about extraterrestrial visitations soon.

Other Featured Articles

Beyond the UFO investigation, the issue explores several other forward-looking themes:

• The New Science of Imagination: This article likely delves into the creative and cognitive aspects of human thought and its potential applications.
• When Robots Rule the World: This piece speculates on the future impact of artificial intelligence and robotics on society, exploring scenarios where robots might hold significant power or influence.
• A Martian Chronicle: Aldrin's Dreamship: This sounds like a fictional or speculative piece, possibly involving astronaut Buzz Aldrin and a conceptual spacecraft for Mars exploration.
• How to Make Your Own Superconductors: This article offers a practical, perhaps DIY, guide to understanding and potentially creating superconductors, a significant scientific advancement.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

OMNI magazine consistently positions itself at the forefront of science, technology, and the speculative. This issue reflects a strong interest in the intersection of science fiction and scientific reality, exploring both the potential dangers and wonders of advanced technology (robots, superconductors) and the enduring mysteries of the unexplained (UFOs, alien contact). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting controversial topics like the MJ-12 document with a degree of skepticism but also acknowledging the compelling arguments of those who believe in their authenticity. The magazine encourages readers to engage with complex scientific and pseudoscientific ideas, fostering a sense of wonder and critical thinking about the future and the unknown.