I am in favor of the death penalty.
I believe that individuals who kill other individuals "in cold blood" should be made to face the fate they inflicted on another.
As for whether or not rapists, child or otherwise, should be sentenced to death, I do not beleive so. However in every case except perhaps under the influence of mind altering drugs, I believe rapists should be sentanced to life in prison without parole. Castration or some other form of esoteric punishment would not be be an effective solution in my opinion. Because rape is, as I understand it from my limited knowledge, a power trip more than anything else. As such the offender would probably seek another outlet for his/her issues.
I hope that made sense, I am not the most eloquent of people. On of the reasons for my low post count.