Yep, that's something to be proud of, that's for sure.

For the first time in five years, the number of abortions has risen in Minnesota in 2006. This effectively stops the decline seen in previous years in Minnesota and the country as a whole. Although I suspect that this current trend will be seen across the country, I don't have those numbers yet. However, given the information at hand regarding Planned Parenthood's numbers for 2006, I fear that my suspicions may not even come close to the reality or gravity of the situation.

However, that much aside, let's just look at Minnesota, who's numbers were just released from the department of health:

• The number of Minnesota abortions rose 5% (703) from 2005 to 2006 -increasing the total number to 14,066. Of course, this is just the reported numbers.
• Not only did the total number go up, the total number of girls under the age of 18 increased by 16%.
• Planned parenthood averaged 272 abortions per month for the first 6 months of 2006 which then increased to 329 per month for the second half of the year.
• Planned parenthood saw an increase of 648 abortions last year, which makes up almost all of the increase seen last year
• 28% of the abortions performed were funded by the government
• of the 14,066 abortions, only 102 were due to incest or rape and only 162 were due to fetal anomalies. On the other hand, 9,598 just didn't want children
• 42% were on their second on more abortion.

So dare I ask what's going on out there? I know it's taboo to point the finger at places like Planned Parenthood, but it's hard not to. As far as I'm concerned, Planned Parenthood is the McDonalds of the abortion industry. Quick and easy, they're there to take care of your mistakes, right?

Ok, so I'm not some pro-life nut job... However, I'm certainly not a big advocate of the abortion on demand culture that has been allowed to cultivate. As far as I'm concerned, there were only 264 (1.8%) truly legitimate abortions performed last year. There were probably others, but it's a case-by-case thing as far as I am concerned, and the numbers I would approve of are much lower than 14,066.

But that's certainly not popular opinion these days, is it? The culture that we have grown and nurtured over the past decades - the culture that teaches its people that there are no real consequences to their actions so they might as well do as they please - is certainly looking ugly, isn't it? I guess I have to ask: Is it worth it? Is it worth shrugging off the moral decline so that you can live free and do as you please?

People ask why the numbers are on the rise, but I think it's pretty obvious. Despite Planned Parenthood's arguments against it, I think the finger can easily be pointed at them. After all, what sort of message is being portrayed by opening up an "Express Clinic" in a mall? They might not perform abortions, but they do sell the morning after pill and they can certainly get you hooked up with a clinic that does perform abortions. They claim to be targeting upper and middle income women and girls. They also claim to be catering to people who want "untraceable" services (i.e. no insurance bills).

Express Clinic, eh? I guess I'm curious as to when we'll start seeing drive-thru style order boards popping up in abortion clinics. Just point to the picture or order by number. Pay the fee and spread-em.

Of course, Planned Parenthood is making some wild claims in the defense.  They have even gone so far as to claim that teaching abstinence in sex education is responsible for the increase in abortions. Seriously.

I don't claim to know all of the answers, but I certainly can draw some logical conclusions. Decades ago, parents taught their children that there were consequences to their actions. Over the following decades, consequences were taken away, and parents no longer taught their children about consequences. These days, the right to act without consequences has become common place. Organizations like Planned Parenthood provide "express" services to women who want a quick answer to their little "mistake."It's even reaching the point where children don't even need to inform their parents of their abortions, and clinics strive to achieve confidentiality - even from women and girl's own families. The only real consequence that remains is that a woman has to take time out of her busy day to visit a clinic.

Of course, the answer is easy. Quit being stupid. Quite living your life as if there aren't any consequences. It's not hard to not get pregnant. If Planned Parenthood would put half as much effort into teaching people to not be stupid as they do defending their abortion rates, maybe some progress could be made.

But whatever. That's just me thinking outside the box again.