I still just don't buy into this 800 hrs in a 172 watching other student pilots land the plane increases your jet skills theory. I do agree that seasoned CFI's are probably less prone to make a bad judgment call, but they are certainly not immune, and it also doesn't mean that a non-CFI will make the bad decision. If all you stated in your post is true (I haven't heard most of those details), than it was a bad judgment call on behalf of the Captain, F/O and controller. Three people had to make mistakes, that's a whole lot of combined experience, which you seem to think solves most all problems.

Landing a 172 in a strong crosswind is a skill, but landing an RJ in a strong crosswind is a totally separate skill. In a 172 chances are your establishing a sideslip 500 feet or so above the runway. Most RJ pilots maintain a crab until just before touchdown as it requires less aileron and rudder input and is more comfortable on the passengers. Also, you have much more bank to play with in a high-wing aircraft such as a Cessna than you do in an RJ (especially a CRJ200). It's just not the same thing at all.

The fact of the matter is that you're instantly putting blame on the F/O and I can't stand when people do this. Until I see a factual report stating that the F/O suggested to the Captain that they use the runway with the higher x-wind component I will reserve judgment. We don't know yet what went on inside of that cockpit and any number of factors may have played a part.