I Think It's Safe To Say . . .

That the most vocal of the partisan-prelates have lost their sh*t.

The on-again-off-again discussion of Politics & Faith was back on again at today's USCCB annual meeting.

Some of the Bishops' comments were stunning in their level of hysteria:

2:34 p.m.: Bishop Boyea draws applause when he raises the specter of Catholic hospitals being forced to shut down because of their refusal to comply with regulations requiring them to perform abortions.

Presumably Bishop Boyea is referring to the "Freedom of Choice Act", which President-Elect Obama has indicated he would sign. This Act was first circulated during the Clinton Administration, has not even been introduced by Congress and is not pending any scheduled votes. Further, to the extent it seeks (as originally written) to legislate Constitutional Rights, it is most likely unconstitutional and would never been passed in such a form. Ultimately, nothing in the Act as originally drafted would do what the Bishop is threatening.

2:38 p.m.: More applause as bishops recall the link Cardinal George made in his presidential address yesterday tying the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision to the current battle for the rights of the unborn.

Can someone explain to the Bishops the difference between state-action and state-permission?

2:53 p.m.: Bishops also concerned about the term “common good” since some Catholic groups tried to use that terminology to justify voting for pro-abortion politicians.

You know, because we wouldn't want anyone to this people who are actually born are included in the "common good".

3:07 p.m.: Bishop Martino of Scranton alludes to Vice President-elect Biden when he comments that no Catholic politician should be able to come into his diocese — Biden was born in Scranton — and erroneously state Catholic teaching on abortion.

Or what? That's the real question here.
And here's where the real paranoia kicks in:

3:15 p.m.: Bishops encouraging other bishops to not be afraid to stand up for life in whatever they do in their home dioceses, even if it means risking their own lives.

I'm not aware of any Priest or layperson who has ever been killed in America for protesting abortion. Several healthcare providers, on the other hand, have been murdered by so-called "pro-life" activists.