I understand the political oppression that happened during that time. I didn't say that your interpretation was incorrect - I implied it was too narrow. So, please, save your strawman for an upcoming autumn festival.
I think that had they meant it to apply only to criticizing the government, they would have INCORPORATED that. Since the BOR is a restriction on the fedgov, I think your arguments for a narrow interpretation are empty.
It was a protection for the people to criticize government.
I went to school in the 50's. I attended Whittier Elementary in Toledo Ohio. The same school my mother and grandmother attended. I had some of the same teachers that my mother had. I was taught that the First Amendment protected our right to critisize government. It was the traditional meaning. It was taught with all the attendant horror of people being dragged away and never seen again because they ragged on the King. We were never told that it meant we could say anything we felt like saying. It wasn't even an issue nor was it dreamed of.
Actually, only the First Amendment starts out with "Congress shall pass no law..." Frankly, I think they should have stopped at the first period.
For my favored caliber weapon, see sig.