Monday's Daily Brief

Monday, March 7, 2011 Gaddafi Unleashes Air Assault Libyan rebels said Monday they will regroup and bring in heavy weapons after forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi pounded opposition fighters with helicopter gunships, artillery and rockets to stop the rebels' rapid advance toward the capital. Mohamad Samir, an army colonel fighting with the rebels, told The Associated Press that his forces need reinforcements from the east after Sunday's setback. Sunday's fighting appeared to signal the start of a new phase in the conflict, with Gaddafi's regime unleashing its air power on the rebel force trying to oust the ruler of 41 years. Resorting to heavy use of air attacks signaled the regime's concern that it needed to check the advance of the rebel force toward Sirte -- Gaddafi's hometown and stronghold. BUSINESS Oil Prices Soar Again WORLD Gates: U.S. Should Stay Involved In Afghanistan GREEN 'Fracking' Sites Suspended, Likely Linked To Earthquakes TRAVEL 21 Airlines Fined For Price Fixing POLITICS Harry Reid's Prostitution Remarks Ignite Debate In Nevada BLOG POSTS Michael Moore: America Is Not Broke Contrary to what those in power would like you to believe so that you'll give up your pension, cut your wages, and settle for the life your great-grandparents had, America is not broke. Not by a long shot. Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett: Libya, the United States, and Iran: Just Who Is "Meddling"? With its no doubt emotionally gratifying but feckless rhetoric demanding Gaddafi's departure, the Obama Administration has ensured that it can play no constructive role in a process of political transition in Libya. Simon Johnson: "A Healthy Financial System Cannot Be Built on the Expectation of Bailouts" TARP played a significant role preventing the mini-depression from becoming a full-blown Great Depression, but part of the cost is to distort further incentives at the heart of Wall Street. Kristin Wartman: A Big Fat Debate The low-fat trend finally appears to be on its way out. The notion that saturated fats are detrimental to our health is deeply embedded in our Zeitgeist -- but shockingly, the opposite just might be true. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach: Portman's Bold Attack on an Anti-Semite and Huckabee's Untimely Critique Perhaps Mr. Huckabee should have thought twice before choosing this particular moment to attack a Hollywood hero who stood up to evil.

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