When you open the role properties, the top window (securables) is blank. The button says "Add" which seems to say Add permissions. This is not what the Add button does. If you click "Add" you will be prompted to select which objects, or types of objects are to be used to populate the securables window. Once the objects are added to the top window, the bottom window will show what permissions (if any) are granted on the object ( that is currenty selected in the top window ). Once the objects are in the top window, you can both view and change permissions on the highlighted object.