Good morning.

Yesterday was rough, as the nation recoiled at yet another mass shooting of children, this time in a Minneapolis Catholic church during Mass. The editorial board reiterates its long-standing view that the country needs to act meaningfully on its awful gun problem. But the board also has thoughts on the immediate reaction of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

Separately, the board also muses on the anti-woke cause celebre that the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain had become before the company's CEO backtracked on plans to overhaul the company logo.

Willie Wilson takes our state and city political leaders to task for doing so little in his view to make South and West Side neighborhoods safer. There's a reason President Donald Trump wants to send in the National Guard, he says.

On the flip side, Jackson Potter of the Chicago Teachers Union gives us a useful refresher on Chicago's troubled racial past in the context of Trump's threats to intervene.

Letter writers, unsurprisingly, have lots to say on the biggest story of the week — the potential for military involvement in crime-fighting in Chicago. We appreciate all the letters we get. Thank you.

Hope your Thursday goes well as the Labor Day weekend awaits. We'll be back tomorrow.

— Steve Daniels, editorial board member

Submit an op-ed | Submit a letter to the editor | Meet the Tribune Editorial Board | Subscribe to this newsletter