A defiant Rev. Donald Armstrong told his longtime parish Saturday he never stole money from the church - even as an organization he helped lead severed its ties with him.

The Anglican Communion Institute, an international theological think tank funded by Grace Church and St. Stephen's Parish and whose day-to-day operations were overseen by Armstrong, distanced itself from the church and Armstrong in a statement released Saturday.

"In consequence of the legal and ecclesiastical struggles Grace Church and Fr. Armstrong are now engaged with, we judge it proper to dissolve our relationship with the Web site and all activities of Grace Church ... so that the charges of the Presentment and other matters of public trust and ecclesiastical jurisdiction might be resolved without interference," the statement said.

The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado alleges he stole more than $392,000 from the church.

Most of that money was earmarked as scholarships for his children, and Armstrong acknowledged that Grace gave him scholarship money - $40,116 in 2005 alone.

Note: I hope I've made clear that these particular allegations bear only on Rev. Armstrong's alleged personal conduct, not the actions of the breakaway churches.  As readers know, I'm opposed to the ACI's actions based on theological differences.  Even the best organizations have their occasional questionable member.

Focus on hypocrisy, or the inappropriateness of relationships between members of Congress and staff, or voter fraud, but let's not paint this as some sort of corruption of the innocent.

Graziano was the vice president and Iraq country manager for Wamar International, a consulting and energy firm whose primary role in Iraq is the repair and upgrade of power generation facilities.

http://www.potomacne...

So how is the GOP nation building exercise going in Iraq, watt-wise?

http://thinkprogress...

The president of Wamar, one Nabil Barakat, wrote a glowing tribute in the Weekly Standard about George Bush's magnificent "Mission Accomplished" speech.  http://www.dailykos....

http://www.weeklysta... is the direct link to the Weekly Standard article.

How nice for a contractor to write glorious articles about our leader.

So that's who Mr. Graziano worked for.  By the way, Graziano also worked for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, US House of Representatives.  Then he goes to work on electricity generation in Iraq.  From his candidate's website:

I served as Vice President and Iraq Country Manager, Wamar International.  Wamar is an international consulting and energy firm whose primary role in Iraq is the repair and upgrade of power generation facilities.

I see pieces to a puzzle here.

From my garden this morning, a rose to all who work for gay rights.

http://mchenry.house...

From the guy's own website:

"First Massachusetts and today, New Jersey, have shown us all why we desperately need a federal constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage and we need it now," commented McHenry after news of the court's ruling broke. "A few liberal judges in these two states have abused their positions of trust by legislating from the bench. This is another attempt to destroy the institution that is the cornerstone of civilization and family life - marriage." Massachusetts was the first state to sanction homosexual marriage in 2003.

"From coast to coast, and yes, even in New Jersey and Massachusetts, families and people of faith are looking to those they elect to take action and protect marriage between one man and one woman from these deviant attacks," Congressman McHenry stated. "Many states have adopted marriage protection amendments to their own constitutions and they should be applauded for that, but it is high time that Congress takes a lead and acts now to defend marriage at the national level."

The Washington Monthly did a profile on McHenry, and it ain't pretty.  He's become a Republican attack dog.  Nothing wrong with being a vigorous defender of one's position, unless that position is morally bankrupt.

http://www.washingto...

I love the part about McHenry creating an occupation for himself, because he had never worked for a living before he ran for Congress.

Thanks for keeping on top of this guy.  I'm going to get news alerts on him, though, because the local NC press is on the aide registration part of the story and it will be interesting to see what they turn up.

McHenry's attempt to spin the story as a "politically motivated" district attorney on "a three-year smear campaign" is difficult to believe.

First of all, the district attorney, Locke Bell, a Republican, is a political supporter of McHenry's. He told the Charlotte Observer today that he had contributed money to and helped host a fundraiser for the congressman.

Also, Bell couldn't have possibly participated in "a three-year smear campaign" against Lay and McHenry, as he only "inherited" the case recently when he became district attorney in January.

So, Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell is actually a recently elected supporter of McHenry, not a long-time political opponent on a three-year quest to "attack" and "destroy" him.

Now, it is possible that the DA would like to be in Congress.  Or, it could be that the DA assessed the evidence and found a problem.

McHenry sounds like someone who is a total opportunist -- we'll see what details unfold.