bspader, you have to understand how message boards work. First, a message board is paid by advertisers who pay according to the number of views, and posts drive those views. So if you argue with a "basher" you are actually increasing revenue. Everyone must understand this principal.

Second, that forum also works directly with market makers to create a market for some of these unknown companies. This aspect is generally kept on the down low because of possible legality issues.

Finally, market makers pay people themselves to talk a stock down. Nearly everyone has been burned by one stock or another, so planting seeds of doubt is an easy thing to do.

Why do bashers target a particular stock? Easy money. However, some just sit on a board all day because they are lonely and arguing is their only social activity. Sad group of people.