"I'm curious as to why Holisky has chosen to make this an issue now."

There is always the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back, perhaps this is the case here. Yes, this issue has arisen occasionally on practically every internet discussion board since the internet began, and it will continue to do so. That fact doesn't make it any less annoying, or any less frustrating to people who actually use their brains when posting comments, unlike our trolls and flame baiters.

Unfortunately, most people who will read this piece are not of the type to go carrying on about free speech where none exists, and so the problem will continue.

"He only cares about free speech in the context of its legal application, not as a value in and of itself."

But really, that is what is being discussed here. If people are protesting being banned from forums because of what they have said, it's about the application (or non-application thereof) of "free speech." It's "value" in society has no place in the discussion.