Hey CT, finally back to the boards...
I hear you on being burned. I entered this thing having been burned before as well and with my wife pointing out that if it's too good to be true, it probably is. :) I was certainly skeptical of the whole thing at the start as well (and admitted this to Monk and others), but I do believe this is a simple and extremely effective strategy if the bulk of the group sticks together and the company doesn't do anything to mess it up. It's not like a short squeeze is a new invention, we're just trying very methodically and patiently to produce one.
I agree that sometimes the enthusiasm goes over the top and starts to look a lot like pumping. I think you get a more realistic picture if you filter the excessively positive along with the excessively negative.
Anyway, appreciate your honest and open posts. Maybe we will meet in Vegas or at a Monkinar when this is all done.