Michael Hyatt – the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers has written a timely post, for me anyway, about sending "angry" emails or letters called Stop: Don’t Send That Angry Email!

Sending "angry" emails never have a positive effect and almost always escalate the issue rather than solve it.  He offers six things to think about the next time you find yourself wanting to write such a blast.  They are all excellent but the one I found most helpful was number 5:

Schedule a meeting. I recently heard John Eldredge make the point that it’s easy to be brave when you are sitting in the safety of your own office. You can hurl digital spears at your adversaries without without the risk of a real, live encounter. But confronting people face-to-face—or even over the telephone—is a different matter. That takes real guts. But it can also lead to real solutions. The real question is whether we want to merely make a point or solve the problem.

It’s definitely worth a read and I think I may post it on my wall for quick, future reference….while I’m using the old standby…counting to 10 very slowly.

Assemblymember Mark DeSaulnier is profiled in this article in Capitol Weekly.  It’s a nice introductory kind of profile covering a little background, election year stats and his issue priorities for the coming legislative session.

The one part that I found curious…

"… After experiencing the steering-wheel-gripping tension of countless Bay Area commutes, DeSaulnier said he wants to see local governments reduce total vehicle-miles traveled during their planning processes. This would mean "fewer and shorter trips" to work, school and play for the state’s residents, and would improve air quality."

Now commuting and traffic are no doubt an important issue for the 11th Assembly District, but besides getting to regional meetings – Mark’s daily commute as a Supervisor/Restauranteur was several miles down Clayton Road into downtown Concord.  Hardly a commute I would describe as "steering-wheel-gripping tension" but that is a nice turn-of-phrase.  Maybe after Mark deals with regulations ultimately affecting drivers’ licenses he’ll investigate abuses of literary license.

The New York Times has an excellent article on Rep. George Miller and his relationship with Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi.  The Contra Costa Times ran an abbreviated version in today’s paper but it’s worth the free registration to read the original article.  Rep. Ellen Tauscher is quoted extensively in the piece and makes several astute observations, including:

Some who know both lawmakers say that Mr. Miller’s counsel continues to be important to her. “Not only can George give her good advice, but he can also tell her things she doesn’t want to hear,” Ms. Tauscher said. “Sometimes you can only take tough news from somebody that is very close to you.”

The most important message from the article and other comments by Pelosi, Miller and Tauscher is the fact that the Democrats intend to run Congress in a more bipartisan manner.

Pat Keeble has posted her election 2006 recap at her new website – the Contra Costa Insider.

"To have eight incumbents, some of them well-known veterans of several terms, lose their seats in one election is unusual. "

Her bullets explain what happened and, sometimes why.  The next item on everyone’s plate will be what does it mean?  Will local political priorities change anywhere?  Pat doesn’t have a comment system on her posts – so if you have any thoughts feel free to leave them here.

Pat is looking for additional story ideas and you can send those to her at newshound@contracostainsider.com.

Transition timing issues will leave District 4 in Contra Costa County without a Supervisor for about 30 days starting on December 4th.

That’s the day Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier will be sworn in as the Assembly member representing the 11th District.  However, his successor, Concord Mayor Susan Bonilla will not be sworn in as Supervisor until the first week in January.

Governor Schwarzenegger could always appoint Susan to finish the current term but apparently the amount of paperwork required isn’t worth it for anyone.  Probably safer to have a quiet holiday anyway.