"It's not the same Birmingham, Alabama," the black driver said proudly as we passed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. We were speaking about how far the city and state once automatically associated with Jim Crow racism has evolved since the September 13, 1963 bombing of the landmark church by members of the local KKK.

The perpetrators of that hideous crime deliberately ignited their massive device as a Sunday school session was going on in the church basement. The explosion left many terrorized children and teachers badly injured; four girls, Denise McNair, who was 11; Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley and Carol Robertson, all age 14, were crushed to death.

After unconscionable delays, some lasting decades, three of the four Klansmen involved were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

My friend and lawyer Leo Kayser III invariably carries a small, frayed copy of the U.S. Constitution around in his inside jacket pocket. At the slightest provocation, he whips out his little black book and brandishes it overhead as if he was William Jennings Bryant, who Leo sort of resembles; (short, prominent belly, bald, bad ideas well-argued). Then, peering over the top of his glasses, Leo quotes thunderously from the well-worn booklet containing the government's founding document, the fingers of his free hand often stabbing the air in cadence with his recital of the sacred text.

Also a lawyer, but bereft of my own carry around copy of the Great Compact, I still argue with equal vigor; often agreeing on individual rights, (we're both libertarians), but disagreeing dramatically on the proper role of the federal government and the separation of powers between Washington and the several states. We have debated the relevant clauses and amendments for 42 years, almost never agreeing. And therein lays the rub. Although the hand-written original document is only four pages long, what it says or doesn't say often depends on the eye of the beholder.

Covering hurricanes is usually like covering War-Lite. There is peril, drama, heartbreak and high adventure, but the inherent risks are hugely reduced by the fact no one is shooting at you.

And there are no big picture surprises. At a certain point you know you’re either going to get hit or missed, because no other natural drama unfolds with such slow-motion predictability. You can’t say you were surprised.

Fox News can report exclusively that Casey Anthony has reported to probation today; according to her lead defense counsel Jose Baez. In a telephone conversation with me this evening Mr. Baez would only describe the location of the probation office as being "somewhere in the State of Florida;" the exact location will be kept secret to "everyone but her specific parole officer," according to Mr. Baez.

The most powerful military unit ever assembled, we watched the 101st Airborne Division march off to war early in 2010. All four brigades went to Afghanistan for a year-long deployment just completed; 24,000 of our best combat troops, all descendants of the legendary World War II heroes of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.

On the bright summer day their new commanding officer, Major General John F. Campbell assumed command, their ranks, disciplined row upon row first filled the parade ground at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Passing in review, they were awesome; an inspiring sight the memory of which still fills my soul with pride and patriotism.