If you haven't already noticed, this month's installment is a long one - several things I think you should know:

GovTrack.us is an independent tool to help the public research and track the activities in the U.S. Congress, promoting government transparency and civic education through novel uses of technology.
http://www.govtrack.us/

I recently joined a group called Senior 2 Senior (for those 50-plus), which looks very interesting and useful. Tom Koziol, who I met through i-Cop, is the founder - a good guy. This is from the 4/15 Senior Moment newsletter, and can be very important to you:

CONFICKER WORM

With all the news about the Conficker worm, I believe you have probably heard about it. Here are two different information pieces on this dastardly malware. Check them out and if they are useful, wonderful. If not, at least I did my part by pasing along some great info.

1. Go to: www.firewalls-and-virus-protection.com a site by my friend Richard Rossbauer and scroll to the bottom of the page. He tells you how to get a free piece of anti-malware software. Thanks Richard. We all need to know this kind of information.

2. iCop's Online Business Trade Journal(TM)'s last issue had this little blurb:
In case you haven't seen this, the Conficker Working Group has come up with an easy test to see if you have the virus on your computer. Check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/cp9ew5 (Note: This is from jl scott's NL (newsletter) at www.i-cop.org)

Do you have children or grandchildren? Do they have Internet access? You need to be aware of the foul slime that prey on children online, if you're not already, and how to fight them. These evil, sub-human scum are, of course, pedophiles and they're always looking for victims: children - maybe your children.

You may have heard of Perverted Justice on NBC's Dateline - they've helped convict and jail hundreds of these vile, miserable predators. This is from their website:

We are the Perverted-Justice Foundation. Of course, those new to our foundation likely have no idea what that means. This is a foundation unlike most, if any, other foundations you'll ever run across. We're a foundation that does not simply thunder about a problem, we don't merely advocate or preach against an issue from a distance. No, our foundation is a pro-active endeavor. We're aggressive. We're confrontational. We believe you have to be to make a difference in the fight against predators and pedophiles. We don't wring our hands and say "they're so evil, what can be done!" We find a way to get things done.
http://www.pjfi.org/

If you have the computer skills, the time, and the desire to help jail the disgusting creeps that prey on children, get in touch with Perverted Justice and see about volunteering.

From 4/10/09 ASPCA newsletter:

Early last week, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Special Agent Debbie Koch arrested Manhattan resident Richard Smith, 24, on multiple charges related to domestic abuse. Smith allegedly assaulted his 21-year-old girlfriend and severely beat a two-year-old Shiba Inu belonging to the girlfriend’s sister. Multiple attacks on the dog allegedly occurred in the last few months.

“As we have seen in the past, the brutality associated with domestic violence all too often affects other members of the household, including pets,” says Joe Pentangelo, Assistant Director, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement.

The dog, named Michigan, was brought to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH) on March 25 in a state of distress. ASPCA veterinarians discovered that she had sustained 12 fractured ribs and suffered from trauma. Michigan is currently recovering at BMAH and will be reunited with her owner.

Smith was charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty and assault. If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine. (Ed. - Wouldn't that be great? They should beat him, too...)

If you know of an animal who is being hurt, please report it—those who assault animals often abuse the people in their lives, too. To report animal cruelty in New York City, contact the ASPCA’s anonymous tip line at (877) THE-ASPCA. Visit our Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty elsewhere:

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/reporting-cruelty-faq.html
Cruelty is cruelty - the species of the victim doesn't matter.

Warmest thanks to our terrific writers and photographers! May you have a wonderful month filled with Love, Good Health, Laughter, Job Security, and CATS!

Pax Felinus,