It's the Dog Days of Summer, and it appears the heat has gone to everyone's head - clouding thinking, agitating the masses, and generating craziness.  These are a few news stories (and mental images) I could do without this summer.

Bull-running = no visitation:  A Spanish man lost his visitation rights after child's mother discovered a photo in the newspaper of what the pair were doing on vacation.  Apparently, the wise father took the intrepid 10 year old lad to Pamplona to run with the bulls.  The photo showed Dad leading (read dragging) the kid by the arm infront of several bulls.   Although only 15 people have died in the Running of the Bulls since 1924, the Judge didn't believe it was an appropriate father-son bonding experience.  Going to watch the Running of the Bulls, OK; participating with your minor child?  Not so smart.  This could all be avoided by remembering the smart sportsman's moto:  No photos, no videos, no interviews, and deny, deny, deny.

Eighth Grade Superstar Recruited:  For the second time in the past two years, USC basketball coach Tim Floyd has signed an eighth grader.  Ryan Boatwright, a point guard from Illinois, has verbally commited to USC.  Boatwright just completed the eighth grade, and hasn't decided where he will be going to high school.  Which NBA team will be drafting him next year after he's completed a year of high school?  Isn't this a bit ridiculous?  Can't we limit college teams to merely recruiting high school juniors and seniors?  That or take the scholarship from the team upon the offer (ie Floyd loses the scholarship until the kid arrives on campus in 4 years).  Is someone out there recruiting LeBron's toddlers?  Or Kobe's kids?  Of course, the root of this could be jealousy - I'm sure once I figure out what sport I'm good at, I'll get a college scholarship for it. 

People Over 35 shouldn't throw Javelins:  Italian officials have banned javelin throwing inside the track during the Masters Atheletics World Championships.  The Masters, which feature competitors between the ages of 35 to 90, will have javelin throwing, but only outside the stadium.  The action comes after a competitor slipped in his run-up and speared a long jumper.   The long jumper will not need surgery, and should recover.   You got me, I admit I laughed all the way through this news article.  My question: is getting a javelin out of you like getting a fish hook out of your thumb?