The distinction is clear. What Mr. V did will only make people go against him. It shows his petty character. What you did on the other hand, is similar to what the SJW's did to Thunderf00t albeit on a milder scale. But you've said it yourself;
"And FYI, in my book, Howie and Gary are open to any and all abuse I can think of. I don't really care if anybody or everybody disagrees with me."
So I don't think anyone will dispute that you will find the most underhanded way possible to get back at them.
---
Anyway, the core of my belief relate to my understanding of freedom of speech, a subject too deep and too complicated both philosophically and politically to be discussed in this forum.