You don't think

> feel free to pat yourself on the back for not "falling for it"

is condescending?

Because to me it sounds super condescending, flippant, and dismissive.

It's about as mildly condescending as anything can be. I'm all for civil discourse, but there comes a point where we're just sanitizing it.

I don't think any of us would say that to a stranger in real life without expecting to cause great offense.

I would, but then I'm the only one that knows the tone it was said in (at least in my head), which wasn't condescending, but more bemused sarcasm.

And that's the fundamental issue with moderating rhetorical devices. You're assuming you know how the other person intended to say something.

Moderating personal attacks is easy. Because that's not a rhetorical device and it's intent is quite clear.