Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 29, 1990 TAG: 9003290709
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A/12 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOISE, IDAHO LENGTH: Medium
Gov. Cecil Andrus said he will act by Saturday on the nation's most restrictive state abortion law, passed last week by the Legislature, and that the boycott by abortion-rights supporters will not be the deciding factor in his decision.
Some 1,000 abortion-rights advocates and 600 anti-abortion activists held separate Capitol rallies Wednesday to sway the governor.
Andrus has said he opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the woman.
"I'm going to do what I think is right," Andrus said. "The economic things, those I'm going to have to handle no matter how it plays out."
Susan Boresow, regional marketing supervisor for McDonald's Corp., said the company does not involve itself in personal, ethical, political or religious issues and would not take a stand on the Idaho abortion issue.
"Our customers represent all points of view, and we serve all of them," she said. McDonald's is a big buyer of Idaho potatoes.
But officials from the state's food processing, printing, travel and resort industries have already lost orders, Andrus said.
Commerce Director James Hawkins said anti-abortion forces have promised to buy more Idaho products, but those offers won't make up for the boycott threat.
Andrus declined to identify the companies affected so far or to give dollar figures for losses.
Nationally syndicated radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, a conservative, called on his listeners to send a wrapped Idaho potato to Molly Yard, president of the National Organization for Women, who has called for a boycott if the bill is passed.
In West Virginia, anti-abortion activists are adding bags of Idaho potatoes to their grocery lists.
"We're issuing a challenge to the God-fearing people of West Virginia," said Avis Hill, spokesman for the 200-member West Virginia Parents for Life. "We're saying to them, if they choose not to buy Idaho potatoes, we'll buy an extra bag and give it to a food pantry."
The bill would ban 90 percent of the more than 1,500 abortions performed in the state each year. Abortion would be banned except in cases of non-statutory rape reported within seven days; incest if the victim is under 18; severe fetal deformity and a threat to the life or physical health of the woman. It would take effect July 1.
by CNB