I really don't see how taking advantage of an excessively-shorted stock is market manipulation.

I've been on the right side of two short squeezes last year purely by accident, and I'd certainly like to repeat the experience if I could. What exactly would be illegal if I was on the right side of a short squeeze on purpose? Predicting it? holding stocks until it happened? Explaining to people less experienced than myself how a short squeeze works?

You say 'intent' but what intent is discussed on these message boards that is so nefarious people with better Lawyers don't discuss it openly?