Archie-

I certainly respect the right of any American to express his beliefs in any legal way he sees fit -- and a boycott is certainly both a legal and moral way to express those beliefs.

I have noted to many people in this hobby, that I don't like such tactics because they involve attempting to stifle debate, and force those who disagree with you to accept your position. I believe that all ideas should be presented to the market for acceptance or rejection. The market should then determine what is good and what is bad. I believe when one goes beyond simply saying "I won't purchase that which I don't like," and further says "I won't do busines with anyone who purchases or sells that which I don't like" they are attempting to use a majority position to bully a minority opinion out of the marketplace, and rob it of the opportunity to catch on. That is very certainly not the "American Way" -- at least in the sense that Thomas Jefferson saw it. Jefferson was the greatest proponent in history of a free market of ideas in which even the most unpopular ideas are provided with a chance to find their niche.

If someone wants to be Slabfree, great. If they want to boycott people who sell slabbed chips -- that's they're perogative. I agree with the first point of view, disagree with the second, and respect their right to both. But anyone who has ever studied Jefferson should realize that to quote him in such a context is the height of irony.