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Comment by grandpoobah | Hacker News Reader

Call me insane, but this feels insane. It would be one thing if Visa/Mastercard were being forced to do this, but for them to take it upon themselves to "pick a side" during a global conflict feels really wrong.

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It’s not picking sides it’s a result of economic sanctions. How are financial transactions going to clear when Visa/MC can’t transfer money in/out of Russia.

Sanctions were imposed on 6(?) banks, not on entire banking system.

Even swift works with any other russian bank.

I don't think you are insane, I do however think you should probably read up on what 'sanctions' means

Why? Companies are owned, run and used by humans, and humans have feelings and conscience, and they sometimes use them to make decisions.

War is an insane situation! I’m a strong proponent of corporate neutrality in general, but if it were Microsoft who shot thousands of people last week, Mastercard would have long since cut them off and there'd be no surprise or concern about it.

They are not picking a side. There is only one side - and it is accepted by the whole world. So not really a choice here at all.

They picked sides in the past too, ask one Mr. Assange how he knows.

slight counterpoint: not taking sides allows for aggressors to hold their foot in the door

No, its not insane for them to do this -- in fact the opposite. Every person has to make the decision for themselves in the end, this goes all the way to presidents and political leaders. You will either stand by, profit and watch, as a neo-Nazi regime rapes a country -- or you will take a stance. When this is all over people will be asking: Where were you and what did you do when the war was happening?

The people isolated in Russia won’t fight the regime - they’ll have to work for the regime at military facilities literally for food and utilities to provide for their families.

> but for them to take it upon themselves

they're not.

they do what they're told.

> It would be one thing if Visa/Mastercard were being forced to do this, but for them to take it upon themselves to "pick a side" during a global conflict feels really wrong.

Maybe they were forced. In any case, it really sucks.

Putin's forces attacked a nuclear power plant. It's time for everybody, including corporations, to pick sides. Neutrality is not an option.

"Picking a side" against a murderous dictator actively murdering innocent men, women, and children doesn't scare me at all or "feel insane". This is Putin's doing, all Visa and MC can do is react.

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