The Associated Press reports in a story headlined, “Bush’s Nephew, in Mexico, Calls Arming of Border Guards ‘reprehensible’:”

President Bush’s nephew, campaigning for overseas votes in Mexico on Saturday, called the federal policy of arming U.S. Border Patrol agents with plastic pellet guns “reprehensible.”

Speaking in a mix of English and sometimes-halting Spanish, George P. Bush said his uncle was not to blame for the gun policy, which has angered Mexicans. He instead blamed it on “some local INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) guy who’s trying to be tough, act macho.”

“If there has been American approval for this policy, that is reprehensible,” Bush said of the guns, essentially paintball projectiles filled with chile powder. “It’s kind of barbarous.”

Young Bush calls it “barbarous” that we arm Border Patrol agents with plastic pellet guns. No. It is an absolute disgrace that we have rendered our border guards defenseless, handing them toy guns instead of real weapons.

The thugs in Mexico who traipse across our border have no problems with “macho” displays of barbarism.

Park Ranger Kris Eggle was murdered by an AK-47-wielding Mexican drug smuggler two years ago this month. Kris was 28 when he was gunned down–the same age as George P. Bush.

You want to talk about “reprehensible?” What is reprehensible is reading about a prominent American citizen dissing our federal immigration enforcement officers on foreign soil in pursuit of votes for his uncle. Border Patrol agents and Park Rangers on the southern border put their lives on the lines every day to protect us from harm. They should be thanked, not trashed.

Meanwhile, Latin America is on alert for al Qaeda terrorists. AP reports:

Governments throughout Mexico and Central America are on alert as evidence grows that al-Qaida members are traveling in the region and looking for recruits to carry out attacks in Latin America – the potential last frontier for international terrorism. The territory could be a perfect staging ground for Osama bin Laden’s militants, with homegrown rebel groups, drug and people smugglers, and corrupt governments. U.S. officials have long feared al-Qaida could launch an attack from south of the border, and they have been paying closer attention as the number of terror-related incidents has increased since last year.

The strongest possible al-Qaida link is Adnan G. El Shukrijumah, a 29-year-old Saudi pilot suspected of being a terrorist cell leader. The FBI issued a border-wide alert earlier this month for Shukrijumah, saying he may try to cross into Arizona or Texas…

Let’s hope he’s allergic to chile powder.