>Put down that ozzie...

well, I'm loath to interject a question concerning usage into these fascinating philippics, but what does "ozzie" mean in this context? I thought an ozzie was an Australian....

>I don't want to get into any political debate, but...
>I have no desire to get into a political fracas over this, but...
>I'm loath to interject a question concerning usage, but..

these constructions are all nice examples of one form of the rhetorical device known as apophasis (denial). [yart]