What should USMS do about the suits?

Right. But my point is, did we make this recommendation 1). because we agree with FINA that tech suits are performance enhancing and should be strictly regulated (if not banned entirely), or 2). because we were trying to be proactive and secure permission to continue wearing tech suits before FINA extended the ban to Masters swimming? They did it to be proactive in trying to find a middle ground between members who really don't like the suits and those who really like them. I have been against suit stacking and in favor of a two suit ban since I learned people were doing this. I have always supported a one swimmer-one suit rule and the rule uses the word or phrase "suit" or "swim costume" in the singular. In fact, we had a discussion awhile back about the possible ethical dilemma of wearing two suits. You stated that it was technically ethical because the rules had an apparent loophole. I said it wasn't because rules and ethics aren't necessary co-extensive, and I thought the rule should have been interpreted to preclude suit stacking. So, one swimmer-one suit, but no reason it can't be a damn fast suit. I don't see runners and tris wearing basketball shorts and drag gear in races ... Despite your interpretation, Counselor, "suit stacking" was perfectly legal. Why else would they need to institute a separate rule prohibiting it? I remember the conversation well, and what I questioned then (and now) is the seeming inconsistency in your position. If you favor one suit, then why not two? Or a single wetsuit? Sure, both are currently against the rules. But for non-masters (after Jan 1, anyway), so is the LZR and Jaked, etc. You and others have argued that such rules shouldn't apply to masters because...well, I don't know exactly why. Something to do with shaving and "it's only masters" and swimming fast. But why stop there? Why not allow wetsuits? My conclusion then (as now) is that a person who has no problem with performance-enhancing suits should have no qualms wearing a wetsuit in pool competition (other than the small fact that, right now, that would be cheating). Blueseventy makes them too, right? Much more durable than FS-Pros or even swimskins. I am still not saying that a desire to wear a wetsuit in competition is morally repugnant. But IMO this road does lead to a different sort of sport than the one that Phelps et al will be doing.

Right. But my point is, did we make this recommendation 1). because we agree with FINA that tech suits are performance enhancing and should be strictly regulated (if not banned entirely), or 2). because we were trying to be proactive and secure permission to continue wearing tech suits before FINA extended the ban to Masters swimming? They did it to be proactive in trying to find a middle ground between members who really don't like the suits and those who really like them. I have been against suit stacking and in favor of a two suit ban since I learned people were doing this. I have always supported a one swimmer-one suit rule and the rule uses the word or phrase "suit" or "swim costume" in the singular. In fact, we had a discussion awhile back about the possible ethical dilemma of wearing two suits. You stated that it was technically ethical because the rules had an apparent loophole. I said it wasn't because rules and ethics aren't necessary co-extensive, and I thought the rule should have been interpreted to preclude suit stacking. So, one swimmer-one suit, but no reason it can't be a damn fast suit. I don't see runners and tris wearing basketball shorts and drag gear in races ... Despite your interpretation, Counselor, "suit stacking" was perfectly legal. Why else would they need to institute a separate rule prohibiting it? I remember the conversation well, and what I questioned then (and now) is the seeming inconsistency in your position. If you favor one suit, then why not two? Or a single wetsuit? Sure, both are currently against the rules. But for non-masters (after Jan 1, anyway), so is the LZR and Jaked, etc. You and others have argued that such rules shouldn't apply to masters because...well, I don't know exactly why. Something to do with shaving and "it's only masters" and swimming fast. But why stop there? Why not allow wetsuits? My conclusion then (as now) is that a person who has no problem with performance-enhancing suits should have no qualms wearing a wetsuit in pool competition (other than the small fact that, right now, that would be cheating). Blueseventy makes them too, right? Much more durable than FS-Pros or even swimskins. I am still not saying that a desire to wear a wetsuit in competition is morally repugnant. But IMO this road does lead to a different sort of sport than the one that Phelps et al will be doing.