Honestly who cares about USPSA in an IDPA thread? Every sport out there has it's odd, frustrating or just plain stupid (in the eyes of some) rules. If you don't like it then play something else, it is really that simple.
People are latching onto the "what's in the shooter's head" argument. In the case listed the target is under 10 yards, the people shooting (with only a few exeptions) have shot at the nationals or at least a few major competitions. Vickers states that the round count is not limited to allow someone to better their score at the penalty of taking that extra shot. If they are pumping two into the -0 and the holes are not touching then pumping a third it is pretty obvious with a needed reload coming up. Sure the person can have a large case of nerves but still it's not like any of those people had round counts below 1k. Some calls have to be at the SO/MD discretion and as long as they make the ATTEMPT to keep it fair then that is all we can ask.
As to the "what's in their head" argument and someone asking for any other sports that have it, take a look at just about EVERY sport. Football, Soccer, Baseball, they all have areas that are "gray" and you have to put your faith into the officials. It is funny to me that everyone is so concerned about this one case at the nationals but don't mention the THOUSANDS of other calls that were made the rest of the time. Mike (or whoever it was sorry if name is wrong) didn't call it because he was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but when the entire team was progressing with the same tactic he called over another official and got their advice. Some have said that the entire team or no one should have gotten it, well that sounds like watching the film tape from Sunday's football games and turning over a referee's decision. It is unfortunate the the one shooter got the penalty (my opinion is that RDing should be a procedural unless multiple infractions occur) but they still went against the rulebook. A Cop sees 3 people speeding and is only able to pull one over, sucks to be the person who gets pulled over but they were still breaking the law.
p.s. Sincere thanks to all the officials and other volunteers that spend the time getting Nationals to be possible. Hope to be there next year!