Well, Jim Acosta will be back in the presidential press pool, splashing his way back into the headlines.
We're OK with the court's decision, especially since the White House did not follow proper protocol in revoking the obnoxious Acosta's credential.
Jay GreesonBut for those who believe this is about Acosta being a "tough" journalist or the "fake video" of Acosta released by Sarah Sanders, stop. This is not about a journalist being a professional - that's one of the last words I'd use for how Acosta acted - or whether the White House handled it well, either.
This is about eyeballs and the power of perception.
For Trump, fighting with the media is a clear way to avoid questions about how a Republican president has allowed our debt to expand like my waistline on Thanksgiving. For the president, no matter how low his approval ratings dip, the media is an easy target, because our approval numbers likely are worse.
He plays to his supporters, and the distraction works for them both.
So, after the judge's ruling, Acosta is returning to the White House briefing room, and the White House is drafting up some "rules and regulations" for reporters to follow.
Man, wouldn't you love to be in that brainstorming session as those protocols are developed?
» Rule 1. No hair jokes. This is non-negotiable.
» Rule 2. Don't act like Acosta, and you're fine.
» Rule 3. Did we mention the hair thing?
We in the media have to realize now more than ever that our job is more important than it's ever been. And tougher. So to give reason for people to doubt your motives and question your professionalism hurts all of us. It gives a boost to real attempts to stop journalists from doing their jobs. It empowers the powerful to dodge questions or try to dictate the terms on which our profession is trying to hold them accountable.
Plus, Acosta's return is going to be as big a story at the next news conference as anything the president has to say.
Which means Acosta's antics have forced him to go against one of my favorite rules of journalism: We are the storytellers and should never be part of the story.
No good deed goes unpunished
Did you see the story last year that went viral about the homeless military veteran who gave his last $20 to help a young woman who ran out of gas? It was moving, right?
It also was an apparent hoax. Prosecutors are bringing charges against Mark D'Amico, Kate McClure and Johnny Bobbit Jr. for fabricating the story and generating more than $400,000 in donations on GoFundMe.com.
If convicted on the second-degree conspiracy charges, each could face 10-to-20 years in prison. Wow.
A GoFundMe spokesman told Yahoo News that all donors would receive a full refund.
Good for the goose, good for the gander, good for the gosling?
Not sure if you saw this story, but a Dutch man has decided that, if others can decide their gender, he can decide how old he is.
Meet Emile Ratelband, a 69-year-old retiree who says he feels like he's still in his 40s. So he's asked his hometown of Arnhem to change his birthday from March 11, 1949, to March 11, 1969.
His assertion is that if we can change the name and the gender on a birth certificate, why not change the date, too?
His main goal is, as with most decisions made by men of all ages, to impress the ladies.
From a Washington Post story, Ratelband said: "If you're 69 on Tinder, you're outdated."
And when asked about just tweaking his age on the dating app, he said: "I don't want to lie. If you lie, you have to remember everything you say."
That's good advice. I don't care how old you are.
Saturday stars
With Thanksgiving next week and the avalanche of stories about being grateful on the horizon, let's get out in front today.
We'll tip the visor to Bryn Hobbs and the Sequatchie County Middle School basketball teams that raised more than $2,100 for the Sequatchie County Food Bank earlier this month.
The players - Eli Mills, Carter Bowers, Gunnar Nelson, Wyatt Davis, Ethan Lee, Jackson Tate, Logan Roberts, Dante Haman, Aaron McDaniel, Bryson Rankin, Daniel Rogers, Baron Cribbs, Lamonte Kelly, Avery Headrick, Payton Campbell, Brayden Johnson, Brenden Cotton, Cayden Tate, Lane Cavitt, Julian Roberts, Sam Evitts, and Evan Sims - got sponsors to offer a certain amount for each free throw made out of 100.
Sure, there are a lot of folks who find ways to help, but having middle school kids learning the importance of finding ways to give to those less fortunate is certainly star-worthy.
Enjoy the weekend friends.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343.