 I went on to write, I don't blame rhetoric for what happened. Even as I acknowledge the vitriolic and apocalyptic nature of pervasive anti-Trump messaging has been excessive and corrosive. Taking everything down a notch or two seems like a good idea, which is repeating a sentiment that I mentioned a moment ago. What burns me, I wrote, and I'm far from alone here, is how the rhetoric rules only seem to flow in one direction from much of the news media.