[Jim Porter]

The first question the protest committee should ask themselves is whether or not a rule call was under protest. Clearly, this was a rules call.

The second question the protest committee should ask themselves is, "Did the incorrect application of the rule have a direct impact on the outcome of the contest?"

If the answer to both questions is, "Yes," then the protest committee should uphold the protest. If either one of them can be answered, "No," then the protest should be denied.

That's the way it should work, anyhow.