Civil War issue for the day

Courtesy of my friend John Robinson, this little historical problem:

(This letter was written by Edward Sebesta and James Loewen and signed by the scholars listed below.)
May 18, 2009
Dear President Obama:
Since the administration of Woodrow Wilson, presidents have sent annually a wreath to the Arlington Confederate Monument. Prior to the administration of George H. W. Bush, this was done on or near the birthday of Jefferson Davis. Starting with George H.W. Bush, it has been done on Memorial Day.
We ask you to not send a wreath or some other commemorative token to the Arlington Confederate Monument, during your administration or after.
There are several reasons as to why this monument, a product of the nadir in American race relations, should not be honored, and we list and explain them in this letter.

Rico says there's pages and pages of why; if you care, click the post title to read it. Otherwise, assume these nearly one hundred learned men and women had a lot of reasons why it's a bad idea, but Rico is surprised that it was happening at all...