A zombie argument has come back to undermine Tesla's most recent profitable quarter (TSLA)

Tesla sold a large number of ZEV and non-ZEV credits in its profitable third quarter.
Tesla earns these credits because it sells only all-electric vehicles.
Tesla has sold credits every year to automakers who fail to meet regulatory stipulations.
Tesla blew away expectations within the third quarter, posting a significant profit on revenue of nearly $7 billion.
Of course, because Tesla reports officially to the Securities and Exchange Commission after it dispatches its usual earnings letter to i