Being ejected from a venue is as good as a DQ. It was my understanding (through personal interaction with Ali) that he either was DQ’d or he was ejected without prize payout (he was also a lock for top 8). There is some dishonesty by omission in suggesting otherwise.

If any of that is inaccurate, then I would gladly revisit my reaction. This certainly, however, is not you “exercising privilege” as posited by the comment’s author.