Wednesday's Daily Brief

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 Libya Protesters Defiant After Gadhafi Speech Heavy gunfire broke out in Tripoli as forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi tightened their grip on the Libyan capital while anti-government protesters claimed control of many cities elsewhere and top government officials and diplomats turn against the longtime leader. While residents of cities in the eastern half of the country celebrated, raising the flags of the old monarchy, the mood in Tripoli was bleak. Residents were afraid to leave their houses, saying pro-Gadhafi forces were opening fire randomly in the streets. POLITICS Wisconsin Governor: 'Dire Consequences' If Anti-Union Bill Doesn't Pass CHICAGO RAHM WINS: With Outright Majority, Emanuel Will Be Next Mayor Of Chicago WORLD New Zealand Earthquake Toll At 75 Dead, 300 Missing BUSINESS Top SEC Lawyer Inherited Fraudulent Madoff Profit, Lawsuits Says POLITICS Arizona Sets Stage For Another Legal Showdown Over Immigration BLOG POSTS Benjamin R. Barber: Why Libya Will Not Be Democratic What are the possible scenarios if Gadhafi survives the tumult? What happens if he does not survive? The one thing I am certain about is that, either way, the outcome is likely to be tragic rather than democratic. Evelyn Leopold: Libya at UN: A Bridge Too Far The UN Security Council condemned the violence in Libya, deplored the regime's crackdown and said those responsible for killing some 300 people should be held accountable -- a sign that Colonel Moammar Gadhafi has few friends. Robert Creamer: Why Americans Need Unions Now More Than Ever The last thirty years shows conclusively that the "competitive market" -- absent collective bargaining -- simply does not assure that everyday employees share in the fruits of increased productivity or economic growth. Jason Linkins: Late Returns: Everything You Need To Know About This Palin Tell-All It is unclear whether or not the memoir being shopped around by former Palin aide Frank Bailey, In Blind Allegiance to Sarah Palin: A Memoir of our Tumultuous Years, will find a publisher. Marshall Fine: HuffPost Review: Hall Pass I'm not about to debate the value of vulgar humor. But I will say that I welcome the Farrelly brothers back to the R-rated fold with Hall Pass, their funniest film in a decade.

MOST POPULAR ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM PHOTOS: Bald John Travolta Caught Without His Hair Piece Justin Bieber... Gets A Haircut! 'Feminists Love Divorce!' ON TWITTER PHOTOS: Virgin Blue's Sexy New Uniforms, As Modeled By Elle Macpherson Anderson Cooper Tells Jon Stewart He Was 'Stunned' By Criticism Of Egypt Coverage Natalie Portman's Miss Dior Cherie Perfume Commercial: Chic With A Side Of Cheesy (VIDEO) ON FACEBOOK Wisconsin Bill Targeting Unions May Cost State $46 Million Why You're Not Married WATCH: 'The Daily Show' Takes On GOP vs. Planned Parenthood