Wow I am really glad you mentioned shorting. I have been using...

Wow I am really glad you mentioned shorting. I have been using that thing that I laughingly refer to as a brain regarding shorting. I understand why people buy stock in a company (raise capital, etc.) but the benefits to a company of shorting escapes me. Shorting to me is manipulative and like so many products in the market these days designed to give informed traders an edge.
The only reasons you will get is that it is a way to make money. Shorting is cynical and manipulative. In a world driven by self interest and greed any strategy that allows people to make money at the expense of others is legitimate. We invested in CPL in the belief that it was a valuable asset with potential. If another company can come along now and take over that asset for a pittance and leave the previous shareholders with nothing. That my friend is good business!