“With all due respect,” Mr. Dangerfield.
Ever notice how often that rhetorical device seeps into the line of questioning — especially of an authority figure? It was never more apparent than at President George W. Bush’s day-after press conference last week. More than a few Washington press corps queries — and follow-ups — had that same preface.
Just out of curiosity, when was the last time that phrase was ever followed by anything even remotely resembling respect?