Beginning a sentence with "I think it's safe to say..." is pathetic.
Agreed, but far from the only repulsive language pattern out there.
How about, "At the end of the day..."?
Or the brainless TV sidelines reporterette, "What was going through your mind when..."?
Most contemptible is when a birdbrain asks himself a question, then answers it.
"Do I think this is a sign of stupidity? Yes, I do. Is there anything I can do about it? No, not really."