"Sum I disagree, those people you mention would still continue to do their darnest to
get more shares if they could."

Well, not exactly.... the MMs also rely on the upward movement to make money. To endlessly simultaneously depress a stock and accumulate shares has no purpose. They could continue to squelch momentum to accumulate but that would fly in the face of common sense. They are there to make money and are watching the situation, knowing better than you or I, when it is time to sit back and relax, fingers woven behind the head, as they count their growing dollars. I wouldn't be quick to paint any pictures of helplessness on these groups as though they are getting some kind of just deserts. They simply play the game they invented.