I said on another comment, brokers should have been raising margin reqs on these stocks the past few weeks as it became obvious this was a volatility nightmare

I said on another comment, brokers should have been raising margin reqs on these stocks the past few weeks as it became obvious this was a volatility nightmare in the making. That would have given them increased protection and dampened the enthusiasm. Also, I don't think any of these people crying foul consider that those who short stocks do so at constant peril of forced close outs because shares are no longer available to be borrowed. The notice involved can be minutes to hours.