Since the author wants us to feel the connection, I see it as appropriate to use the entire word, instead of just referring to it.
This gives the true meaning to what this author is saying, instead of just pretending that he is being nice.
Allowing that post to stand would attribute the use of the word to a Freeper, namely you, and could be cherry-picked by those who want FR to look bad (e.g. O’Reilly).