Looks like of the guys (and girls?) around here would have only gone to a street meet or test and tune, and therefore are complaining about the cars spooling after the green light. However, as has been pointed out by one or two knowledgable people, there is a huge difference between an official drag meet and a street meet/test and tune.
The whole idea of a test and tune is just that - to test out different techniques, configurations and settings on a car. But when it comes to an offical drag event, then anyone who sits on the line still spooling after the green goes will invariably be the loser. I don't think anyone will argue on the contrary. As long as it covers the standing 1320ft between 9.000 and 9.999 seconds, then I don't see how anyone could deny a car's 9 second ET as being a 9 second ET. It is still a 9 second car at the track. Forget about the street.
As for reaction times, they actually do count. First past the line in heads up racing wins. Reaction time also affects bracket racing with reaction time affecting the final result.