[the invisib1e hand]

well, you use a lot of words, but I have to tell you, it's clear that you really haven't thought short selling through.

Funny thing about life. As you gain more experience, you learn that the things you thought you knew all about weren't exactly what you thought they were at all; or the things you totally disagree with, sometimes prove to be wise and reasonable after all.

[justshutupandtakeit]

I have thought this through quite thoroughly and recognize short selling as a fraud perpetrated on real investors. These people have NO incentive to knowingly "lend" their stocks and don't.

There is no doubt that those sophisticated enough to profit by it can rationalize many facts away including the fact that by lowering the return on stocks held by real investors the speculators raise the cost of capital and lower capital formation by discouraging investors.

As I said there are legitimate ways of speculating against stock prices without cheating the owners of stock.

You can keep your pretentious platitudes and save them for some 20 year old, son.