"Sub-prime" Discussion Blasts Off

I have to apologize for not posting in a while, but I have just recently purchased my first new home and it took me a while to get things moved in and put away. Therefore, I am now a proud member of the "homeowners" club! Fortunately, I didn't let the "sub-prime" crisis scare me away from buying my first home. I am very optimistic about the housing market and feel it is a great time for buyers.

I have become increasingly aware of the "sub-prime" mortgage crisis, especially now that I own a home. Therefore, I decided to see what all the recent buzz is about. Also, I thought it would be ironic if my first posting since closing on my new home related to increasing "sub-prime" discussion.

As you all know, the financial markets are under a lot of scrutiny by consumers and the feds. Buzz regarding the "sub-prime" crisis has really taken off. The analysis below shows "sub-prime" discussion along with a few other topics financial related topics. I wanted to see if discussion about select financial institutions or investments are congruent with "sub-prime" discussion.

The analysis shows some interesting results. Distinct callouts include finding out that that online discussion Countrywide Home Loans and "hedge funds" in general correlate with "sub-prime" discussion, r = .71 and r = .72 respectively. Countrywide's discussion coincides with "sub-prime" as a result of consumers acknowledging that it began laying off employees due to the mortgage crisis in August 2007. Additionally, the fallout of several major "hedge funds" and other mortgage related securities has led to growing concerns amongst consumers online.

Feel free to contact me regarding these findings. I will continue tracking "sub-prime" discussion and update my findings as they are available.

Michael Vick Discussion

Football season is here everybody! And I wanted to give everyone an update on the Michael Vick indictment. I ran through 100 random messages and classified them accordingly (see below). Most consumers discuss a variety of issues (i.e. comparing the incident to the Duke Lacrosse team incident where the players were deemed "guilty" before the "not guilty" verdict came out. Interestingly, more than twice as many consumers feel Michael Vick should be suspended compared to those who do not.

I do feel the amount of discussion relating to consumers discontent over Clinton Portis' comments supporting dog fighting warrants attention, but I'm not sure Goodell can do a lot about it given our first amendment rights.

Topic	% of Goodell / Vick Discussion	Summary of Discussion
Other	25.2%	Consumers compare to Duke Lacrosse team incident where the players were deemed “guilty” before the “not guilty” verdict came out. Additionally, several petitions are being pass around to have Michael Vick suspended from the NFL indefinitely. Additionally, some consumers (2.8%) feel Goodell shouldn’t suspend Vick.
Repost Articles	15.9%	Consumer repost news articles covering Michael Vick’s legal woes.
Vick Should Be Suspended	14.0%	Some consumers explicitly say that Vick should be punished by the NFL regardless whether he is found guilty or not. More than twice as many consumers feel Vick should be suspended (indefinitely?) compared to who feel he shouldn’t and to let due process take its course.
General Mentions	8.4%	Consumers nonchalantly reference the Michael Vick dog fighting issue.
Clinton Portis’ Comments	8.4%	Some consumers are discontent over Clinton Portis’ comments supporting dog fighting.
Goodell and Art Blank receiving letters	6.5%	Consumers mention Roger Goodell and Atlanta Falcons owner Art Blank receiving letters from Rev. Al Sharpton, Russell Simmons and PETA.
“IF” Vick Discussion	5.6%	Consumers discuss what will happen “IF” Vick is convicted (i.e. go to jail).
Goodell’s Reaction to Clinton Portis	4.7%	Discussion pertains consumers’ opinions that Roger Goodell has done more to address Clinton Portis regarding his support for dog fighting than Michael Vick.
Expect Vick Won’t Be Suspended	4.7%	A small percent of consumers discuss their expectations about whether Vick will be suspended.
Vick is Innocent Until Proven Guilty	4.7%	Only a small percent consumers feel that Vick should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Feel free to leave any comments if you have questions or concerns regarding my analysis.