From the outset, one of the main aims of this site has been to spark discussion within the community, on community issues. All ideas, whether provocative or unpopular, deserve consideration and discussion.

But there is little discussion to be had on one issue published here recently.

The Long Beach Poly boys track team absolutely earned and deserves the right to raise the banner of 2011 State champions.

There’s your discussion. Beginning. End. No gray area.

On Wednesday, my colleague Greggory Moore disagreed and penned this column, arguing that the Jackrabbits’ most recent banner is undeserved – that they should not be proud of the title, even – because Loyola would have won if not for the disqualification of star pole vaulter Evan Barr when he shouted an obscenity.

Unfortunate? Heart-breaking? Unfair, even? Yes, yes and maybe. That’s where your discussion lies.

But the Jackrabbits? Who worked all year to put themselves in Sacramento that weekend, fought in every event to work their way up in the points and miraculously managed to avoid disqualification? There’s no reason to point fingers or pass blame to Poly for doing their best, and ultimately coming out on top.

In fairness, Moore recognized that Poly is not at fault and should be congratulated for their achievement (which he mistakenly thought was a C.I.F. title, but that is of little matter). It that doesn’t change the fact that the article is intended to take thunder away from an amateur athletic program just days after an historic accomplishment. Whether literal or simply sensational, the use of the word “undeserved” is at least disingenuous. At worst, extremely harmful.

But Moore’s issue, at its core, is not about whether or not Poly deserved the Gold. It’s a statement against the rule, or more accurately, the ideological belief against punishment for the use of certain words. In a 2009 article that Moore wrote and I edited, he argued for the public acceptance of the very word in question. I even agreed with him in principle (to a certain extent). Maybe you believe that too, and that’s fine. But Moore’s argument in relation to Poly falls apart at the mouth of Barr himself. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times last week, he disagreed with the rule but acknowledged that he knew it existed and knowingly violated it, accepting the consequences. “It’s pretty much common sense,” he said. Barr was regretful, but never vengeful. That was the right move, should have been the last word.

Maybe, as Moore believes, words are just words. Maybe the word that Barr said didn’t actually harm anyone who heard it. That is possible.

But the use of the word “undeserved” is undoubtedly harmful. It causes pain and takes away from an accomplishment. There is more to that word than just an assemblage of letters, or a combination of sounds. That word has weight. More weight than the word that started this whole thing in the first place, and I hope that Moore now sees that.

Congratulations to Barr, and most of all, to your 2011 State Champion Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits.