NBC

Debunking Government’s Justification for Mass Surveillance

Done deal? Let them explain...

REID SAYS HE'S GOING TO WAIT FOR MCCONNELL TO TALK ON BUDGET
REID SAYS MCCONNELL COMING TO FLOOR SOON
SENATE SAID TO HAVE DEAL ENDING SHUTDOWN, RAISING DEBT CEILING

The "Million Vet March" in Washington D.C. appears to be escalating as reports of barricades being torn down, police in riot gear and snipers being deployed, and a growing crowd at The White House chanting for its shut-down suggest the people are growing restless.

After a two-day, five hundred point Dow Jones rally on nothing but hope that just because politicians are talking, all shall be well, it was the weekend's turn, when the market is conveniently closed, for true Congressional colors to emerge. Sure enough, moments ago Boehner told GOP lawmakers that Obama has "rejected our deal", and that talks with the president have hit an impasse. The WSJ, whose recent poll in conjunction with NBC found Republican approval rating at an all time low (because if the debt ceiling slams shut, the machinery that funds both the "wealth effect" for the 0.01% and the 60 million on foodstamps and disability will cease: or in other words a bust for the ultra wealthy and poor, if not quite so bad for what's left of the middle class) reports that his comments, in a closed-door meeting with House Republicans, put renewed focus on a plan being developed by Senate Republicans to raise the U.S. debt ceiling and fully reopen the government. As we speculated, Obama, smelling blood, has decided to shut down the GOP on all their demands: "On Saturday, a House GOP aide said Mr. Obama had essentially rejected everything offered by House Republican leaders in their proposal." Which is hardly a negotiation. The question is will the GOP, having pushed the country so far, decide to back off now, and let Obama take all the spoils?

Despite stock (not bond) euphoria yesterday that a DC debt ceiling deal was sealed leading to the second largest risk ramp of 2013, last night was spent diffusing the excitement as one after another politician talked back the success of a "non-deal" that Obama rejected, at least according to the NYT. As a result, with both retail sales data and the PPI not being released (and the only data of note the always leaked UMichigan consumer confidence) markets will again be at the behest of developments on Capitol Hill, with some talk from Republicans suggesting a deal as early as today could be possible in an effort to reopen government on Monday. It is entirely possible that talks could continue over the weekend though, which would ensure a gappy open to Asian markets on Monday.

The situation in DC is fluid, but here is the most coherent narrative so far from NBC Washington DC: "A woman opened fire near the U.S. Capitol after trying to ram her car into the White House gates Thursday afternoon; she was then shot. A U.S. Capitol Police officer was injured in the event, though it is not clear that the officer was shot. The incident began at about 2:30 p.m. at the White House gates at 15th and E streets, NBC News confirmed. The driver tried to ram the gates but failed, and then was pursued by Secret Service. She bailed out of her car near the Capitol building and began shooting, NBC News' Pete Williams reported. Some reports said that as many as 10 to 15 rounds were fired. The injured officer was airlifted to an area hospital. The U.S. Capitol building was on lockdown after the shooting, though that lockdown has now been lifted. Parts of Pennsylvania Avenue are still closed." According to Fox reports the woman was 18 years old and there also a child in the car. The child is said to be unhurt.

• Government Shuts Down as Congress Misses Deadline (WSJ); Shutdown starts, 1 million workers on unpaid leave (Reuters); Government Shutdown Begins as Deadlocked Congress Flails (BBG)
• This is not The Onion: Stocks Rise on U.S. Government Shutdown (BBG)
• Pentagon chief says shutdown hurts U.S. credibility with allies (Reuters)
• In historic step, Japan PM hikes tax; will cushion blow to economy (Reuters)
• Obama Says He Won’t Give Into ‘Ideological’ Budget Demand (BBG)
• More part-time warehouse workers: Amazon to Hire 70,000 Workers for the Holidays (WSJ)
• Less full-time legitimate workers: Merck to fire 8,500 workers  (BBG)
• Education cuts hit America’s poor (FT)
• Euro-Zone Factory Growth Slows (WSJ)
• Watchdog Warns EU Not to Water Down Insurance Rules (Reuters)

• Government Heads Toward Shutdown (WSJ), First U.S. Shutdown in 17 Years at Midnight Seen Probable (BBG), Congress in game of chicken (RTRS)
• Italian Premier Pursues Last-Ditch Rescue of Government (WSJ)
• Election risk rattles Italian government bonds (RTRS)
• Obama and Ryan Stay on Sidelines on Budget (WSJ)
• Volcker Rule Costs Tallied as U.S. Regulators Press Deadline (BBG)
• Faltering Chinese Factory Growth Adds to Rebound Fears (FT)
• Health Law Hits Late Snags as Rollout Approaches (WSJ)
• Apple Overtakes Coca-Cola as Most Valuable Brand, Study Finds (BBG)
• Euro-Area September Inflation Slows More Than Forecast on Energy (BBG) - Puting will fix that shortly

UPDATE: The Bill is currently under debate on the floor - live webcast (Final votes are expected after 11pm ET.)

It appears investors (CDS markets, VIX, T-Bills anxiety) were on to something as each side in the  looming government shutdown debate seems mired in their own belief that the other has more to lose. House Republicans are aiming to hold a vote today on a bill to extend government funding through December 15th and ensuring the military gets paid on any shutdown, but...

• HOUSE PLAN WOULD DELAY OBAMACARE ONE YEAR, LAWMAKER SAYS

And as the WSJ reports, Harry Reid has already stated that "we are going to accept nothing as it related to Obamacare," before adjourning the Senate until Monday afternoon (narrowing the gap for a shutdown-avoidance vote). The shutdown-blame-game has begun as it seems the ball is back in the Senate's court...

Below is the latest summary of today's tragic mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yards which has led to 13 deaths so far.

*NAVY OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST 6 DEAD IN NAVY YARD SHOOTING: AP
*TWO 'POTENTIAL OTHER SHOOTERS' ON THE LOSE, DC POLICE CHIEF
*DC POLICE: POSSIBLE BLACK MALE SHOOTER MAY BE CARRYING LONG GUN
*ONE SHOOTER MAY BE WHITE MALE IN KHAKI UNIFORM, DC CHIEF SAYS

While hardly reminiscent of Chicago during peak shooting hour on a weekend, news of occasional shootings in the US is becoming increasingly more prevalent, the most recent report coming from a Washington Navy Yard, where the police reports at least three people were shot by an active shooter. As WaPo reports, "D.C. police are looking for a suspect they say shot at least three people at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday morning. According to a police spokesman, there is an “active shooter” on the grounds of the Navy Yard in Southeast Washington."

Oh, and a Typhoon Is about to Hit Fukushima

The definition of what makes an “enemy” may vary from person to person. But we would say that, generally, an enemy is one who has an active ability to do irreparable harm to you or your essential values. He is motivated by destruction, the destruction of all that you hold dear. He is capable and unrelenting. He is a legitimate threat. He will not compromise. He will not waver. He will do anything to wound you. He will not stop. He is possessed. Americans have spent the better part of a century being told who their enemies are with very little explanation or substantiation. We have blindly rallied around our patriotic prerogative without knowing the root cause of the conflict or the nature of the target we are told to annihilate. We have been suckered into war after war, conjured by international interests in order to lure us into accepting greater centralization and concentrated globalism. As a culture, we're sorry to say, we have been used. We are a tool of unmitigated doom. We are the loaded gun in the hand of the devil. When one applies the above definition of “the enemy” to Syria, one comes away with very little satisfaction. So, the question arises: If Syria is not the real enemy, who is?

The last hour has seen a sudden escalation in the Syrian-Strike-Nado. Following earlier comments from Hillary Clinton, President Obama also confirmed the Russian offer on Syria is "potentially positive" though "skeptical" that it will be followed through on. Harry Reid then hits the tape with news of a delay in the 'test vote' - hardly a signal of resounding support. Then Assad, via his twitter account, compares Obama to Bush among other things. And then finally, Obama announces he has not made a decision on next steps if Congress doesn't support military strikes. Gold is modestly higher, oil slightly lower. Equities remain happy with the uncertainty and are extending gains. In the meantime, Reuters finds that 63% of Americans now oppose intervening in Syria.