Who are the shorts?

[Markr]

Other the Bronte (sp) do we know?  I can't believe they all act in unison.   It seems that it may make sense to take a short position to keep a lid on the stock price to effectively make a starting takeover number of lets say $120.00 seem acceptable.  Let's say it takes a couple million short to manipulate the price, it sure is a cost effective way rather than having to buy the 45 million shares at let's say $180.00, it would save them billions.  I am just trying to understand the short theory, why their postion went up, they can't be stupid, but rather maybe a very savy way of keeping the lid on for an acceptable takeover bid?  We think we know there are non-conforming bids to come.  I am just trying to understand the short thesis, I got it 5 years ago, I don't understand it now, but they are clearly still fighting.  Any thoughts?