The Short List

• Qaddafi is gathering forces loyal to him in Tripoli as violence continues in Libya.  Oil prices have hit $100 a barrel in trading already today.


• Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has ordered the Yemeni police to protect demonstrators, whether they are pro- or anti-government.


• Pakistan's ISI is ready to split from the CIA.


• A British court has ordered the extradition of Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, to Sweden to face charges of sexual assault.  Assange's legal team can and will appeal the order.


• Two main labor unions in Greece staged a general strike protesting austerity measures.  A group of young protesters broke off and turned violent.


• Gov. Scott Walker has urged other governors to challenge public employee unions for major concessions.  ** Editorial Note:  It is no small difference to ask for concessions while also removing the ability to collectively bargain.  You can gain concessions, without eliminating collective bargaining.  Indeed, why call for concession if you're going to kill the union anyway?**


• GM posted a profit in the fourth quarter of 2010, following its emergence from bankruptcy.  **Editorial Note:  A government bailout and good will negotiations with the UAW prevented the total liquidation of GM, saving roughly 200,000 jobs.**