America, is this what you really think of us?

So far, I've kept this blog to some pretty light topics. Yesterday I
heard a story on the news that has compelled me to protest here using
all the blog-space I can.

Here's the story: an American citzen named Malcolm Watson was convicted in New York State of sexually abusing a student he taught at a prestegious all-girls private school. He made a plea bargain that was accepted by the state prosecutor (district attorney?) and by the judge, pleading guilty to one count of sexual abuse and one count of endangering a child. The "bargain" was that he could return to live with his wife and children in Canada for three years and stay away from US for that period except to visit with his probation officer, or he could spend one year in prison in the U.S.

Here's the full story from the CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2006/10/23/exile.html

What the heck? Is this how we (Canada) rate for the U.S. or at least part of it? Is our children's safety is worth that much less than their children's safety? I've been around enough to realize there are probably several legitimate but conflicting perspectives on this story with reference to how high the risk of him re-offending, international law, citizenship versus permanent residency, and differences between Canadian and American law. It's true the legal age of consent is lower in Canada than in New York State (14 vs. 17, I think), BUT the fact that he (as a teacher) was in a position of trust over this student, he could still be guilty of an offence in this country.

So, his choice was one year in jail in the U.S. or 3 years living with his family and working in Canada.... In summary, this whole despicable incident is a:
1) Good deal if you're Malcolm Watson.
2) Good deal (in a really short-sighted way) for the U.S.- one less sex offender for a few years.
3) Bad deal for 33 million Canadians, who happen to include a number of children I'd like to keep safe.

B.