Axl never intended to do a tour in December anyway. Rememeber on MTV he said they had done a mini tour, 5 shows, and now they were going back to the studio to finish off the album. Then a week or so later the December World tour started!!
I blame Axl tho, he says kids shouldnt wait on the album, my life doesnt depend on it but GnR have been the backdrop music to my growing up, and he seems to forget music is that important to people.