I'm not racist, but...

[psychojen]

Louis C.K. Monologue - SNL

 

[monotonic]

Consider replacing "but" with "except that" and things might be clearer. It becomes an exception rather than a contradiction. "But" is used so often that I think it's meaning has become more subjective and inkblot-like. It's become habitual so maybe it is just a result of the real problem which is unconscious behavior.

 

[David]

But I don't want to throw the but out with the bathwater. In some lines of work involving conflict resolution, the word "but" serves as an explicit bridge to get over a complainer's monologue and into a solution. Example: "Sir, I understand what you're saying and if I were you, I'd feel the same way, but here's the thing...I was called in to investigate an altercation and to do my job right, I have to give him a chance to tell his story just like you did; now, I'll ask you again, please be quiet!"

What happens when there’s a ‘But Buddy...’ response... like your a mediator between Obama and Putin, and its Obama or that senator Cotton who feels humiliated... ‘but Buddy Putin humiliated US... its no fly, err I mean fair...’ :P