It is far better to remain silent and be thought a fool rather than speak 
  out and remove all doubt.
None the less, you have opted to speak 
  out.  So let me put short shift to your hyperbole.
The SEC is 
  halting NAKED short selling, not short selling.  Short selling is a 
  useful and natural feedback mechanism for markets. It is even more so when 
  enforced in conjuction with the uptick rule.  Naked shorting OTH is 
  solely for speculation and not for hedging of investment positions.  The 
  societal purpose of markets is for investors.  Speculators and traders 
  have their place in the market to help provide liquidity. However, naked 
  shorting does not provide any useful or constructive function to markets and 
  will not be missed as it was not missed for the 150+ years it didn't exist in 
  the markets.
Just as margin requirements are a valid and useful market 
  regulator, so are balancing tools such as prohibition of naked shorting. 
  
Boater805
At 05:55 PM 9/18/2008, you wrote:
  
SEC to halt short selling 
 
What would happen if 
    it were:
SEC to halt Long 
    Buying
 
What's the difference 
    ?
 
It is a totally biased 
    action on their part.