A hint at why Heffelfinger's name was on termination lists that Justice Department officials and Bush political strategists put together emerged when Monica M. Goodling, the department's former White House liaison, testified last week before the House Judiciary Committee about the firings.

Goodling said she had heard Heffelfinger criticized for "spending an excessive amount of time" on Native American issues.

In other words, he was on the firing list because he wasn't trying to suppress voting. Jim Crow is back, but this time he's not carrying signs that say "Whites only," the work is happening behind the scenes.