Director Frances G. Knight was a staunch Republican and like many people seemed to be unable to separate the importance of separating those that will cross party lines in an effort to see that the work to be done is more important than party politics. In doing this it seems to me she has made special effort to allow her suspicions to over ride the importance of just what her job was supposed to be. Although I greatly admired Miss Knight you can see that her resume that was given to F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover was more a statement in her own defense against a strictly Democratic alliance that was trying to "overthrow" her as Director of the U.S. Passport Office. I think much of her suspicion must have come from the blame placed on the U.S. Passport Office of two assassinations that happened in the 1960's and the inability of the State Department to track  assassins before and then after the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, respectfully. I can attest that there was not enough technology installed at the Passport Office during the period I worked for them 1972-1975 to keep up with the vast amount of paperwork, although there was technology available. The fact that the Passport Office was put on 14th and "K" Street, N.W. and was not part of any mainframe computer network directly linked to the State Department might have had something to do with that inefficiency. There were no computer's that I saw installed during those years at the Passport Office and not even IBM Selectric Typewriters that could read the IBM punch cards that were generated by the large IBM mainframe computers. I know that probably as well as anyone since I was given 100's of those to order from the General Services Section and only keep record of them in a makeshift records management manner. If anything can be blamed on not keeping up with these "Look Out Cards" that were so important during Miss Knights question during the Warren Commission's investigation, it is that fact and that fact alone, not a subversive alliance bent on the assassination of either King or Kennedy.

I think with the terrible event known as "Watergate" and the "activities" of President Nixon and his staff, who Miss Knight worked closely with, she began to soften her opinion of just an alliance of Democrats but probably too late in life. I know that the fact of my being a strong Kennedy Democrat and not a fan of her good friend President Richard Nixon did not stop her from doing something she hardly ever did and that was signing an offical letter of appreciation for my work there.  Conspirators "proven" (Watergate) would be more in line with the blame of "getting rid of someone" and conspiracys should not be taken lightly.  Myself, alone as I am, know that conspiracy to do something, whether it be a poor teacher that was trying his best to be a good coach, or someone like myself who works hard to complete a job only to be mysteriously criticized by those who he thought his friends,  has never been one of my attonements.  This type of conspiracy, or  alliance, has become way too common, especially in our political system.  And from history, when such important issues as national security or a persons right to work and earn a living are involved they "should" not be allowed.  

When tracking criminals or terrorists are concerned I am sure unfounded suspitions are assessed by those who decide whether they should be considered important and then either acted upon or left alone.   I am sure President Carter acted wisely by letting Director Knight enjoy her retirement years, living until 1999.   What I am wondering is if there is still that feeling of mistrust carried over these many years and if these little "wars" are carried over from administation to administartion.  If so and in such important places as these could something so petty be blamed for allowing something as tragic as the events of September 11, 2001, say not allowing Air Marshal's to fly aboard commercial aircraft.   Or if the decision to allow Marine's trained to protect and defend be put in harms way and to think that someone wouldn't notice.  Or if unfounded suspitions used to start a war be used as an excuse for occupation of a country like Iraq.  Hindsight in this respect becomes very important, not only in correcting errors in judgment but direction for future growth.  Any person that closes the door on all negotiation when proven mistakes have been made or suffered because of that person or that political faction has failed to heed warnings should allow those that can prove their opinions or actions at the time were right should be allowed some recourse, after proving their original opinion was correct.  That little voice that keeps saying, "I know I was right and I deserve another chance".