Let us say it this way, unless you are a great hacker (with both its talent and knowledge) you are going to leave "easily visible" traces on whatever devices you are using and systems you are targeting.
From this assumption, you should do your best to reduce the crumbs you leave. all the solutions you have enumerated are not bad. The more you do, the harder it gets for the "enemy". if you think about clearing the logs and using secure passwords (Pass1234 is not a good one) it would be better.
If the feds didn't pull anything from your SSD, it doesn't imply that they won't be able to do it next time.
Also, in this forum, there is an interesting section on being anonymous on the web. under hacking and security > anonymity
Side note, Do you truly believe in freedom of speech?? I don't believe in freedom of speech, i don't think that human should ever be free to say whatever they want, and saying that your freedom ends at the other freedom is just plain crap (this is simple to prove, as this limit is influenced by many fators such as point of view, history, culture).