It's not a free speech issue, but it is an issue of basic civility. I agree that if someone's speech makes your blood boil then it's reasonable not to buy anything from them. But rational people should always be able to listen to reasonably sensible discourse with which they disagree without having their blood boil.

Civil society is poorly served when people can't even bear to listen to any opinion differing from their own.

Couldn't agree more, and somehow the author seems to have missed the notion that boycotting also happens to fall under the umbrella of "free-speech".

I find it odd that he finds their reaction "ridiculous" and that instead they should've had a debate with him. Really? How will they do that? Call him on his cellphone and tell him they don't like what he said? Send him emails? I mean, even if they were able to find out what his email address is, I seriously doubt they're going to change his mind or even illicit a response.

Instead, they chose to do something that seems to be having great results for them. And considering that Mackey essentially said "fuck the 45 million uninsured", their reaction is well measured, I think.