American Notes ABORTION

It was the nation's most restrictive abortion law. Passed two weeks ago by the Idaho senate, the bill would have outlawed virtually all abortions. Pro-choice groups threatened to boycott Idaho potatoes if the bill became law. The Washington headquarters of the National Organization for Women received spuds inscribed by pro-lifers: "Please take care of me. I am an aborted Idaho potato."

Governor Cecil Andrus, who is personally opposed to abortion, vetoed the bill late last week because it "was drawn so narrowly" and would "harm" Idaho women who became pregnant through rape or incest. Pro-life forces who had hoped the law would help persuade the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and ban abortion altogether will have to start over in another state.