I'm sorry, BUT...

I absolutely hate it when people preface their statements or opinions with these words.  Often in such non-debatable  context, as "I'm sorry, but I think equal rights should apply to all."  Or, "I'm sorry, but I don't think a person should be allowed to kick a puppy to death."   But take away these words and you'd take away about a third of Whoopie Goldberg's vocabulary.   I'm sorry, but that's just how I feel.