[BluffTHIS!]

I don't believe that a good player is hurt by a short stack, just that he cannot maximize his edge nor learn how to properly play a larger stack. You can search the poker theory forum for more on this as there have been a couple threads in the past few months discussing the short stack strategy in Ed Miller's book.

However regarding the bad player, you are correct in that by playing a short stack they cannot lose as much as with a larger one and this does act as a safety net somewhat, but only to the degree of limiting their losses. Since they are playing bad, and thus in a negative expectation manner, then all their leaving when they hit and coming back with less amounts to is a money management scheme, similar to those used by people playing casino games. It still won't help them keep from losing in the long run, it just prolongs their play before the negative expectation overcomes any positive short term variance they might be lucky enough to experience.

When you say that their short stacks prevents your making advanced moves on them or getting implied odds to draw out, then all that means is that the good player should adjust properly and play appropriately against them and just count on showing down the best hand to get their money, which should then be assured in the long run. It is only the failure of the good player to adjust that makes the good player play bad against them and really adds to their safety net.