We Are Not Responsible by Harryette Mullen

[conuly]

We are not responsible for your lost or stolen relatives.
We cannot guarantee your safety if you disobey our instructions.
We do not endorse the causes or claims of people begging for handouts.
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

Your ticket does not guarantee that we will honor your reservations.
In order to facilitate our procedures, please limit your carrying on.
Before taking off, please extinguish all smoldering resentments.

If you cannot understand English, you will be moved out of the way.
In the event of a loss, you’d better look out for yourself.
Your insurance was cancelled because we can no longer handle
your frightful claims. Our handlers lost your luggage and we
are unable to find the key to your legal case.

You were detained for interrogation because you fit the profile.
You are not presumed to be innocent if the police
have reason to suspect you are carrying a concealed wallet.
It’s not our fault you were born wearing a gang color.
It is not our obligation to inform you of your rights.

Step aside, please, while our officer inspects your bad attitude.
You have no rights we are bound to respect.
Please remain calm, or we can’t be held responsible
for what happens to you.

***********

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Comments

[malada]

So truthful it hurts.

[spiralsheep]

Perfect, thank you.

[minoanmiss]

Word.

[bibliofile]

Thanks, this is so good.

[silveradept]

That could pass for official government policy, these days.

[conuly]

These days?

[silveradept]

In the sense of "saying the quiet parts out loud and proudly," rather than "this wasn't before and has become so."

[adafrog]

Good.