From the Community: Celebratory gunfire in Tripoli, Social Security, and deforestation

We're taking a look at some of the most popular stories from the Current community, and we've rounded up some highlights to share. Check them out and add your two cents:

Rebels enter Tripoli, crowds celebrate in streets
Submitted by Misti

Crowds of rebel fighters celebrated in Tripoli as Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi’s hold on power is on the verge of collapse. Thousands gathered in Benghazi, the capital of the eastern part of the country, to rejoice by tearing down Gadhafi posters and waving red, black and green opposition flags.

Gadhafi addressed the Libyan people over al-Jazeera Television:

"I am afraid if we don't act, they will burn Tripoli," he said. "There will be no more water, food, electricity or freedom."

Gadhafi, a colorful and often brutal autocrat who has ruled Libya for over 40 years, said he was breaking out weapons stores to arm the population. His spokesman, Moussa Ibrahim, predicted a violent reckoning by the rebels.

"A massacre will be committed inside Tripoli if one side wins now, because the rebels have come with such hatred, such vendetta...Even if the leader leaves or steps down now, there will be a massacre."   

Social Security Disability on Verge of Insolvency
Submitted by Schnookums

New estimates say that the Social Security's disability program is expected to be bankrupt by 2017. Applications from baby boomers and laid-off workers has overwhelmingly increased by 50 percent from more than a decade ago. Around 3.3 million people are estimated to apply for benefits this year.

"The trustees who oversee Social Security are urging Congress to shore up the disability system by reallocating money from the retirement program, just as lawmakers did in 1994. If Congress does not act, the disability program will collect only enough payroll taxes to pay about 85 percent of benefits after the trust fund is exhausted in 2017."

The community shows concern regarding the Social Security situation:

letsliveinpeace: "Is this another sign of the decline of our country. Why don't they simply get rid of earning caps that limit how much of the income of the wealthy get put into the system. Those who are living on the fringe are as American as the Koch brothers or Michelle Bachman, and she's already living on federal welfare. Equality must be restored for all Americans."

amo42: "This problem clears up by lifting the cap on FICA earnings. Employers should be required to have adequate workman's comp (including medical) when the disability is the result a workplace injury."

nardo1224: I guess it won't be until America is officially dead that Americans will realize that our current Government's goal is to kill America. We will be worse than sub sahara Africa because there will still be people, even though they are starving, will not believe that their elected leaders did this on purpose.

Deforestation in Amazon Increases
Submitted by JanforGore

According to the National Institute for Space Research, deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest has risen by 15 percent in the past year. Brazil's Amazon now ranks as one of the world's greenhouse gas emitters.

"From July 2010 to July 2011 the vast South American rainforest lost 2,654 square kilometers (1,649 square miles) of vegetation in the states of Mato Grosso and Para, according to a preliminary analysis of satellite photos"

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