"I'm not (a) (fill-in-the-blank), but..."

Ever notice that most every time a person precedes a comment they're going to make by saying, "I'm not (a) (fill-in-the-blank, but...," they follow that by making a statement which seems to showcase they are in fact the fill-in-the-blank they just claimed they weren't?

"I'm not a racist, but...(makes derogatory remark about a certain ethnicity)."

Okay, if you're not a racist, why did you feel the need to say that and then follow it up with a racist remark?

"I'm not a slut, but I like sleeping around."

Eh, what? Okay, so define slut for me...

"I'm not a sexist, but I think women are far inferior to men in every way."

Uh huh. ...and I'm sure these women feel the same way about you. Congrats! You da man!

I think a lot of people precede such comments with the ol' "I'm not a (fill-in-the-blank), but..." because they somehow feel that gives them a license to make any kind of comment, regardless of how racist, sexist or homophobic it might be. If they say they're not a racist, then that will make the listener feel more at ease with the racist comment that is soon to follow. I'm sorry, but this doesn't work.

It's not like a man can say to his wife, "Honey, I'm not disloyal, but...," cheats on her and due to his saying he wasn't disloyal dismisses the fact he was in fact disloyal. Best of luck with that strategy! I'm sure your wife will  believe your words as she catches you doing the deed with someone else.