kitty, not betting against the manipulators does sound sensible. In this instance, though, we have been playing them for the last ten years and winning. The fall on the margin increase was big and fast - but as it came straight after a big and fast rise it wasn't really of any consequence.
When you are talking about the longs, I think it is only the paper longs that were caught. I'd be surprised if many physical holders were worried, or madly selling - after all, they are not on margin.