"so who the hell is buying? and why?"

The only thing that makes sense to me is if I were part of Chavez's inner circle and knew the future positive for this stock I/WE would be buying up this stock very quietly. Keep the stock moving and keep the price low.

Maybe the private placement may come from Chavez's syndicate of holdings itself. This makes a huge lot of sense to me for when this group have accumulated an enormous base of stock to their satisfaction and Chavez makes a major positive announcement this stock will soar and all those Vz can go into retirement. Many of them know they won't be around Sept 26 and on the dole.

So is it possible they are buying up this stock secretly?

My question is if my hypothetic is correct can they (Vz investors) keep the info from the public such as us? RM would know I"m sure and I don't think he can say anything about it. Or would he even know.

There must be a way to know if the purchases originate in Vz.