@PalacinkyPDX I didn't mean to justify it. I just know that sometimes people think something is funny enough to outweigh the offense it causes.

@mzbehavin yes, that would be one meaning, and it would be offputting to be sure! there is another, which is the opposite, and it's more like "i know you're all too stupid to understand what i'm saying so you're all going to attack me, and i'm such a martyr." i have no idea how that breaks down, percentagewise, which times it means the one and which times it means the other, but i can usually tell case by case anyway.

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@mzbehavin i know i'm hungry!

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the person who most recently said exactly the first example in this post was not afraid. he was reveling in the controversy to come. your guess may be true in general; i am pretty sure it was not true in that case.

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So don't do anything that scares you?

@Rudy1962 Being afraid is OK. Admit it, rather than be tentative as if you are afraid to get yelled at. Own your actions. It is analogous to someone saying "It's just my opinion, but...." No, it is not just your opinion. It is your opinion. Own it, recognizing you could be wrong.

@maturin1919 Just is a qualifier, as in it is somehow lacking. It is my opinion is much more confident. No disrespect, but the difference in presentation is quite meaningful. Do the "just" in an executive setting and you are toast.

@maturin1919 No, it doesn't. Qualifiers matter.