[JeromeLon]

I don't think he is trying to be funny.

Here are a few examples:

- "I believe in free speech, but some opinion are too abhorrent to be protected." -> the person actually does not believe in free speech.

- "I am sorry I reacted like this, but they went too far" -> the person is not sorry.

[shynrou]

"but" expresses conflict, nuances and compromises. Life is not simple and our thoughts, actions and feelings are often not rational or in line with each other, there for dismissing anything before "but" is a way of actively not listening.

- "I believe in free speech, but some opinion are too abhorrent to be protected." -> Maybe free speech should not allow people to slander, extort, abuse people? Or at least not give them a jail free card.

- "I am sorry I reacted like this, but they went too far" -> This person can indeed feel sorry and feel somewhat justified, because maybe both parties involved did something worth being sorry for.