I am very much aware that i am free to "sell and leave" as you...

I am very much aware that i am free to "sell and leave" as you put it, so I don't really need someone like you to remind me. I am also under no obligation to explain why I choose to hold, and I'm well within my rights to state my opinion as I see fit, as you are with yours. Why don't we put the shoe on the other foot? if you feel so happy with the progress the company is making, why don't you take out a margin loan and buy up all the shares being shorted? Not only will that shore up the price, it will also be a fantastic long term investment decision for you, given how "positive" you are about this stock, wouldn't it?