Thanks for that, Chris.

One thing is unclear though. Are these criminal convictions? Are the convicted now felons? If so, is there anything in the law that prevents their pardon?

cheers

>from http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1829056
>
>The phone-jamming operation has led to three federal convictions and a pending indictment. Prosecutors have not raised questions in court about the White House conversations but records of the calls were available to them as criminal court exhibits.
>
>The records show that Republican campaign operative James Tobin, who recently was convicted in the case, made two dozen calls to the White House within a three-day period around Election Day 2002 as the jamming operation was finalized, carried out and then abruptly shut down.
>
>Virtually all the calls to the White House went to the same number, which currently rings inside the political affairs office. In 2002, White House political affairs was led by now-RNC chairman Ken Mehlman. The White House declined to say which staffer was assigned that phone number in 2002.
>
>
>
>>I think (repeat: think) there was a conviction recently in one of the north-eastern states regarding deliberately keeping phone lines of the other party busy.
>>
>>>
>>>>are these things an offence? can people be charged with this or is it legal (just about) and just in bad taste?
>>>>~M
>>>>
>>>>>Unfortunately, your example is one of many. They listed several example's of this on the radio this morning.