I only visit because there's less EGR posts here than at...

I only visit because there's less EGR posts here than at home!

On the shorting...
another possibility is that at the peaks, existing large holders are protecting their recent gain for the expected drop post news.
Buy back on run up from lows again (next news)to boost the SP for the long position further, extra pump.
No friends where money is involved unfortunately, Just one option, and not as malicious as some, though obviously not helpful.
I havn't checked the daily short activity over time to see if its the case or not.