Opinion

The massacre last week at the French satire publication Charlie Hebdo was a direct affront to our freedoms of speech and expression. Sunday’s march in Paris was an expression of solidarity and the fact that we won’t cower to the terrorist acts of extremists of any stripe. As journalists, we must never allow anyone or anything to affect our right to speak and report freely and to express our opinions. Free speech and expression were a relative novelty on planet Earth at the violent birth of our republic nearly 240 years ago. Patriots who called themselves Americans even before we existed as a nation died for what they believed and we continue to believe to be among the fundamental rights of humankind. And Americans have died ever since protecting and defending those freedoms and those who enjoy them, often perhaps with little thought to the sacrifices or what their world would be like absent free speech and expression. In the wake of the Paris massacre of journalists, Jews and police officers targeted by those who murder in the name of religion, we as Americans must be vigilant, stand like steel and never surrender what is right and what so many have laid down their lives and loved ones to safe-keep for the future of this country and the world.

Support sale of hospital

My name is David Johnson; I've worked in the laboratory of Saint Louise hospital for 19 years, while it has changed hands multiple times. During those years I have taken pride in this hospital and worked hard with many others to provide for the South Valley Community the best possible health care.

Good Samaritan saves life

In search of Gilroy’s history

All around the country, families and friends are gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving. Here at the Gilroy Dispatch, we’re celebrating too.

Once again, reports are coming in from nervous people about mountain lions (a.k.a. cougars, pumas and panthers) seen near their homes. Sightings of these large animals (6 to 9 feet long and weighing up to 275 pounds) are on the upswing during the dry season because the lions may need to leave remote habitats in search of prey and water. But with limited hunting grounds, the lions may follow prey—usually old or sick deer—into the suburbs.

2014 Garlic Festival raises $300K