Pointless hearing

Re: your Jan. 9 article, "Fracking concerns well up at hearing":

I went to a meeting Wednesday that promoted social activism rather than explain in detail the ramifications -- positive and negative -- related to fracking.

There were very few experts to explain the pros and cons. Most speakers had absolutely no intelligent solutions or recommendations as to how we solve this situation and produce a product that can significantly assist in bailing out our state.

The industry was labeled greedy and irresponsible. No one recommended further development of the internal combustion engine to operate with cleaner fuel such as liquified natural gas. Frankly, there were downright ludicrous comments.

I got the impression from most of the speakers that the horse and buggy be reintroduced and motorized vehicles be banned. The whole meeting sounded like a confrontation rather than an intellectually thought-out solution.

- Fred Malzacher,

Santa Paula

The writer is president of Ventura Hydraulic & Machine Works Inc. -- Editor