Even if one accepted on face-value that shorts provide no value and enable hedge funds to extract value with "illogical tricks," I don't understand how that wou

Even if one accepted on face-value that shorts provide no value and enable hedge funds to extract value with "illogical tricks," I don't understand how that would justify making them illegal. I'm not saying the justification doesn't exist, but I don't think the reasons you articulated are sufficient.