Changes

The Carter administration viewed the Ayatollah Khomeini as a "[[progressive]] force for [[human rights]]," the "Iranian Mandela"' and "Iranian Gandhi." One of the Ayatollah's first acts was to issue a [[fatwa]] promising paradise for children who joined the Iranian military during the [[Iran-Iraq war]]. By 1982, with [[Shi'a]] clergy in command, the government asked children, age 9 years old and up, to clear minefields so the regular Army could advance against the [[Saddam Hussein]]'s Army. <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/iran-iraq.htm Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), ''Iraqi Retreats, 1982-84''], Globalsecruity.org, retrieved 20 March 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.matthiaskuentzel.de/contents/ahmadinejads-demons ''Ahmadinejad's Demons: A Child of the Revolution Takes Over''], Matthias Küntzel, The New Republic, 24 April 2006 .</ref> About 100,000 died as ''Basij'' child soldiers building the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]].

The Carter administration viewed the Ayatollah Khomeini as a "[[progressive]] force for [[human rights]]," the "Iranian Mandela"' and "Iranian Gandhi." One of the Ayatollah's first acts was to issue a [[fatwa]] promising paradise for children who joined the Iranian military during the [[Iran-Iraq war]]. By 1982, with [[Shi'a]] clergy in command, the government asked children, age 9 years old and up, to clear minefields so the regular Army could advance against the [[Saddam Hussein]]'s Army. <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/iran-iraq.htm Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), ''Iraqi Retreats, 1982-84''], Globalsecruity.org, retrieved 20 March 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.matthiaskuentzel.de/contents/ahmadinejads-demons ''Ahmadinejad's Demons: A Child of the Revolution Takes Over''], Matthias Küntzel, The New Republic, 24 April 2006 .</ref> About 100,000 died as ''Basij'' child soldiers building the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]].

===Harvey Milk writes to Jimmy Carter===

===The Rev. Jimm Jones===

Jones wrote to Jimmy Carter requesting aid for [[Fidel Castro]], whom Jones had earlier met with in [[Cuba]].<ref>Reiterman, Tim, and John Jacobs. ''Raven (book)|Raven: The Untold Story of Rev. Jim Jones and His People''. Dutton, 1982. ISBN|978-0-525-24136-2. page 305.</ref> In a handwritten letter to Jones on White House stationery, the [[First Lady]] wrote "Your comments on Cuba have been helpful.  I hope your suggestion can be acted on in the near future."  Carter also wrote that "I enjoyed being with you during the campaign -- and do hope you can meet Ruth soon", referring to her sister-in-law, Ruth Carter Stapleton.<ref>LA Times November 21, 1978</ref> Mondale stated regarding the Temple that "knowing the congregations deep involvement in the major social and constitutional issues of our country . . . is a great inspiration to me."<ref>"First Lady Among Cult's References" {{cite news|work=Los Angeles Times |title=First Lady Among Cult's References; Mondale and Califano also listed |date= November 21, 1978}}</ref>  [[Health and Human Services]] Secretary Joseph Califano stated "your humanitarian principles and your interest in protecting individual liberty and freedom have made an outstanding contribution to furthering the cause of human dignity." President Carter sent a representative to a dinner at the Temple at which Jones and Gov. Jerry Brown spoke.<ref>Mehren, Elizabeth, "Politicians Defend Associations With Jones", Oakland Tribune, November 21, 1978</ref>

As reports seeped back of people who wanted to leave the Peoples Temple in Guyana, [[Harvey Milk]] –  the first openly gay elected official who was endorsed by the Peoples Temple for San Francisco city councilman – wrote a letter to President Carter defending Rev. Jones "as a man of the highest character," and stating that Temple defectors were trying to "damage Rev. Jones' reputation" with "apparent bold-faced lies".<ref>Milk, Harvey [http://www.brasscheck.com/jonestown/milk.jpg ''Letter Addressed to President Jimmy Carter, Dated February 19, 1978''] {{Webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5vybbC0i4?url=http://www.brasscheck.com/jonestown/milk.jpg |date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref> The Temple claimed that "reactionary forces were trying to destroy his [Jones] image because he is the most persistent [[Social justice warrior|fighter for social justice]].<ref>Peoples Temple, [http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/3VictimConspirBrochure.pdf ''Victims of Conspiracy Brochure''], Jonestown Alternative Considerations, San Diego State University {{cite web |url=http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/JTResearch/opposition/3VictimConspirBrochure.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2019-01-31 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5vybVUjVl?url=http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/JTResearch/opposition/3VictimConspirBrochure.pdf |archivedate=January 24, 2011 |df= }}</ref>

As reports seeped back of people who wanted to leave the Peoples Temple in Guyana, [[Harvey Milk]] –  the first openly gay elected official who was endorsed by the Peoples Temple for San Francisco city councilman – wrote a letter to President Carter defending Rev. Jones "as a man of the highest character," and stating that Temple defectors were trying to "damage Rev. Jones' reputation" with "apparent bold-faced lies".<ref>Milk, Harvey [http://www.brasscheck.com/jonestown/milk.jpg ''Letter Addressed to President Jimmy Carter, Dated February 19, 1978''] {{Webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5vybbC0i4?url=http://www.brasscheck.com/jonestown/milk.jpg |date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref> The Temple claimed that "reactionary forces were trying to destroy his [Jones] image because he is the most persistent [[Social justice warrior|fighter for social justice]].<ref>Peoples Temple, [http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/3VictimConspirBrochure.pdf ''Victims of Conspiracy Brochure''], Jonestown Alternative Considerations, San Diego State University {{cite web |url=http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/JTResearch/opposition/3VictimConspirBrochure.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2019-01-31 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5vybVUjVl?url=http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/JTResearch/opposition/3VictimConspirBrochure.pdf |archivedate=January 24, 2011 |df= }}</ref>