In yet another government SNAFU, the US commerce department has released spending data prematurely. Instead of tomorrow morning, its website released the data at 1923ET.. and it is not good. Despite a 0.3% rise in November, thanks to downward revisions, the YoY growth in Spending was just 2.9%. May 2013 was the last time YoY growth was weaker than this and corresponds with spending weakness seen in each of the last 3 recessions.

Back in August, angry investors captured Shan Jiuliang, the head of Fanya Metals Exchange, in a daring predawn raid on a luxury hotel in Shanghai.

Submitted by Jeffrey Snider via Alhambra Investment Partners,

There are a few correlations that I find particularly compelling.

It's grim up north... and getting grimmer. Amid soaring suicide rates, Canada's once-booming oil patch is rapidly accelerating its downward trajectory.

Former New York Times reporter Chris Hedges has previously noted that oppressive regimes fall when their soldiers stop obeying orders and start following the will of the people.

Hedges gave an example from the U.S.  In 2010, Hedges, Daniel Ellsberg and 131 veterans were arrested for holding an anti-war protest in front of the White House.

Everyone was arrested, their wrists tied with plastic restraints, and hauled off to jail.  So – on the surface – it looked like the police unquestioningly cracked down on the protest.