PayPal Freezes Support Account For Bradley Manning

Re:PayPal Freezes Support Account For Bradley Manning by gnosis on Thursday February 24, 2011 @04:32PM (#2259936)

First, it's debatable whether you can sell, sign away, or give away your own human rights.

Second, lots of people (especially less educated kids), often don't realize what they're signing up for when then enroll in the military. They're often lied to by recruiters, and are brainwashed by their families and the culture around them, who worship the military.

Third, even if Manning had knowingly and willingly agreed to be tortured by the US government, that does not excuse the torture.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:PayPal Freezes Support Account For Bradley Manning by jbooth on Thursday February 24, 2011 @04:40PM (#2259959)

FWIW, it's only debatable in the sense that someone could have a debate about it. The courts have repeatedly ruled that you can't sign away your rights. It even comes up in employment law, just because you sign something doesn't mean it's enforceable.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:PayPal Freezes Support Account For Bradley Manning by gnosis on Thursday February 24, 2011 @04:54PM (#2260001)

"The courts have repeatedly ruled that you can't sign away your rights."

I guess the US military hasn't gotten the memo yet.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:PayPal Freezes Support Account For Bradley Manning by fragholrok on Friday February 25, 2011 @02:39AM (#2261404)

I'm with you on this, clearly not many people here have actually served in the military to know first hand what 'rights' you do or don't give up when you serve. If anyone would just look at the situation as it stands right now, you would see that you DO give up certain rights when you are in the military...it's the price you pay when you choose to serve. And let's get this straight - it is a choice. Last time I checked, there was no draft being enforced...

This discussion is sad because in the end, if this kid is found guilty of leaking those docs, found guilty of treason? Smh...whether it's right or wrong, his 'pre-trial torture' will be the least of his worries. And if he is found innocent? It's pretty doubtful anyone gets sued over his wrongful imprisonment, idk, I could be wrong...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:PayPal Freezes Support Account For Bradley Manning by gnosis on Friday February 25, 2011 @10:14AM (#2262398)

There's a difference between the US military claiming that you "give up" (or sign away) your rights when you enroll, and whether you actually do or even can give them up at all when you enroll.

Depending on whether you think rights are inherent and inalienable, there could also be a difference between which rights some courts rule you have and which rights you actually have.

The courts might rule and the military might claim you have no rights whatsoever, and they can torture you to death, or imprison you forever, without cause, whenever they feel like it.

Does that mean you have no right not to be tortured? Does it mean you have no right not to be imprisoned without being found guilty of a crime? Or does it mean such imprisonment and torture (even when legal, or when the US military claims its legal) is a violation of your rights?

[ Parent | on HN ]