It seems everything, and I mean everything in Washington DC is politicized these days… even the president’s plans for Memorial Day.

Some conservative bloggers have attacked President Obama because he didn’t attend the wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. According to the website Media Matters, Glenn Beck said this on his radio show: “Obama is skipping out on a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington Cemetery because he’ll be in Chicago on vacation. I’m sorry, I don’t ever, ever question the president’s vacation. I didn’t under Bush, I didn’t under Clinton, I don’t under Obama.” He later stated: “I have no problem with the man taking a vacation. But I am sick and tired—sick and tired—of people believing the lie that this administration has respect for the police or has respect for the soldiers of our country. I’m tired of it.”

Others evidently had similar complaints. There’s just one problem, their complaints don’t tell the entire truth. In fact, they don’t get close to it.

President Obama did intend to miss the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The administration instead sent Vice President Joe Biden to that event. But, the president did have plans to attend another Memorial Day event… at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Illinois. In other words, he would be marking the day. The president was able to participate in the wreath laying there, but was unable to give his speech thanks to a thunderstorm. He later met with members of the military.

To say that it only matters for the president to honor our fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery is an insult to all the members of our military who are buried at cemeteries across the country. Are those cemeteries any less worthy of a visit from the president?

The criticisms also fail to look at history. NBC News reports that both Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush missed Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. Vice Presidents Bush and Quayle were worthy stand-ins. I wonder if that was disappointing to Mr. Beck as well.

Even more critical than that, is this: our country is divided enough as it is. And, for the most part, those divisions have happened over real, substantive issues. There are plenty of reasons to criticize President Obama, Congress, or Republicans leaders. We could look at health care reform, the economy, the budget, overspending… it’s a long list. Those are all legitimate reasons for political debate.

With a list that long, do we really need to start picking on the president over where he plans to spend Memorial Day? Really? It’s almost as petty as worrying if a politician has a pin in the shape of the American flag on his or her lapel.

Let’s debate, in a civil tone, the real issues facing our country. And, if you’re going to attack on the silly, distracting issues… at least get your facts straight before you launch a tirade.