Love this:

When you say, "I believe in freedom," you don't follow that sentence up with the word "but."

I was taught that when you use the word "but," you negate everything you just said before that. Try the following:
"I care about you, but..."
"I want to help, but..."
"I'd like to quit smoking, but..."

Want to be credible and speak the truth? Any time you are about to use the word "but," erase the half-truth you were about to say and ask yourself what it is you really mean to express.