President Barack Obama summoned Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. to the White House earlier this evening in order to retake the presidential oath of office that Chief Justice Roberts flubbed at yesterday’s swearing in ceremony. As you may recall, it appeared that Obama fumbled the words of the presidential oath of office but it turned out that it was Roberts who made the mistake. In order to ensure that his presidency would not have any sort of controversy (no matter how minute) from the start, Obama thought it would be prudent to retake the oath of office “out of an abundance of caution”:

President Obama retook his oath of office Wednesday after Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed while delivering it at Tuesday’s inauguration. The second oath — also administered by Roberts — took place at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday in the White House’s Map Room. Roberts asked Obama whether he was ready. “I am, and we’re going to do it very slowly,” Obama replied. The do-over was aimed at dispelling any confusion that might arise from Tuesday’s take — in which “faithfully” was said out of sequence — and erase any question that Obama is legally the president. However, per the Constitution, Obama became president at noon Tuesday without taking the oath. “We believe that the oath of office was administered effectively and that the president was sworn in appropriately yesterday,” White House counsel Greg Craig said Wednesday in a written statement. “But the oath appears in the Constitution itself. And out of an abundance of caution, because there was one word out of sequence, Chief Justice Roberts administered the oath a second time,” the statement read. On Tuesday, Roberts, apparently working without a copy of the oath handy on the Capitol steps, started out by reciting a six-word phrase, but Obama broke in halfway through and repeated the first three. That seemed to throw the chief justice off stride, and he proceeded to mix up the order of the words in the next phrase.

The two got the rest correct, including the nonobligatory “So help you God?” “So help me God.” Reporters, bloggers and others weighed in on the flub. The New York Post offered this headline: “Roberts is the Oaf of Office.” A Washington Post reader complained in a letter to the editor: “What could have been a moment for the ages was marred by Mr. Roberts’ thoughtlessness. News outlets will report that the first words of our new president were “confused.” Whether through design or an amazing lack of preparation, Justice Roberts’s behavior was a disgrace.” And Fox News anchor Chris Wallace said: “We’re wondering here whether or not Barack Obama in fact is the president of the United States. They had a kind of garbled oath. It’s just conceivable that this will end up going to the courts.” In a congressional luncheon after Tuesday’s swear-in, Roberts and Obama exchanged words, and the chief justice appeared to tell the president, “It was my fault.” Before Wednesday’s do-over at the White House, Obama, waiting on a couch, joked that “we decided it was so much fun … ” After a flawless recitation, Roberts smiled and said, “Congratulations again.” “Thank you, sir,” the president replied. After a smattering of applause, Obama quipped that “the bad news for the [press] pool is there’s 12 more balls.” Roberts has made no public comment on becoming tongue-tied Tuesday.

LOL! Now that President Obama is the boss, he is going to ensure that things get taken care of in the proper way, to HIS satisfaction. Well done. Leave it to the morons on FOX News to make something out of nothing. President Obama officially became President of the United States at the stroke of noon on January 20, 2009 despite the fact that he had yet to take the oath of office. But, I don’t blame him for taking care of biz and taking the oath again. He’s nothing if not a perfectionist :)

[Source]

Barron Hilton, II — Paris Hilton’s little brother who was arrested for drunk driving just about a year ago and who has, on occasion, been popping up on the social scene — stepped out on the town here in SoCal last night with an entourage of male friends. The newly blonde Hilton and his friends were seen wearing what looked to be political buttons that make me think that they were out to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama … but, upon closer inspection, revealed that the underage heir was just showing off his proclivity for a particular brand of vodka:

It’s nice to know that the not-quite-21-year-old Barron hasn’t let his brush with the law sate his apparent thirst for alcohol. You know, it must take a huge fondness for booze to inspire one to wear promo paraphernalia of your vodka brand of choice. Despite his arrest, Barron Hilton, II is far from reaching the heights of shenanigans made famous by his elder sister Paris … but something tells me that the young lad is well on his way to make the Hilton family proud with shenanigans of his own. His day will come, I’m sure of it. The question for all y’all is … now that the eldest Hilton boy has reached a relative age of maturity — is he a hottie or a nottie?

[Photo credit: X17]

Okay … so I like to give Victoria Beckham some grief from time to time but, on the real, I kinda love her. There are some times (many times, in fact) when she takes her fabulosity to ridiculous lengths but sometimes she manages to pull it all together and look utterly gorgeous. Vicki B. is featured on the cover and in the pages of the new issue of Russian Vogue magazine … and while the cover is just plain stylish, it’s the photos published inside the mag that really take my breath away:

She’s already graced the cover of British and Indian Vogue, now Victoria Beckham has landed the cover of Russian Vogue. A barely recognisable Victoria features on the front of the magazine with a pale face, smokey eyes and her thumb in her month. The 34-year-old dons a sailor’s hat for the shoot as well as what appears to be a dress from her own range. The picture comes after the unveiling of a giant billboard in central featuring Victoria and husband David peeling off for yet another Armani advertisement, which for the first time features the couple together in a intimate bedroom scene. The couple, who are parents to Brooklyn, 9, Romeo, 6, and Cruz, 3, are promoting underwear from the spring/summer collection for the Italian label.

Yes, I quite the cover but, as I said, it’s the other photos that you simply have to check out. After the jump, see two photos from VB’s photospread in this issue of Russian Vogue magazine …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

Nick Hogan (née Nick Boella) has kept a relatively low profile since he was freed from jail last October after he successfully served out a jail sentence stemming from the near fatal car accident he was responsible for in Summer 2007. Since his release, we’ve not see much of him out and about (thankfully, he’s not been seen anywhere in the vicinity of a motor vehicle) … until now. Nick showed up at the Sundance Film Festival this week presumably to see some of the independent films showing there but most likely to party and enjoy the free swag. I’m not sure if Nick’s time in jail severely traumatized him or what but … he showed up to one party wearing a red and black outfit that, well, … see for yourself:

Nick Hogan doesn’t really ever get much pity from me … but seeing him in this outfit … wow! I can’t even imagine the trauma that the young man must’ve endured in jail to make him think that this outfit is acceptable for imposing on others. I mean, the jacket is a lot … but to add not only the knit cap but the sunglasses as well? Yes, he deffo has finally won my pity. Poor thing. He prolly thinks he’s pretty fly (for a white guy). Shame.

[Photo credit: X17]

Earlier this week we read a letter that was penned by Hugh Jackman himself which attempted to calm the fears and concerns of X-Men fans who heard about the reshoots that have been taking place in Vancouver, Canada on the set of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Today we get to check out a few photos of Hugh back in his Wolverine gear on the set of Wolverine yesterday working on those reshoots he was trying to explain in his letter:

Aww … Hugh. He looks great. I really love the hair and make-up that they do for him when he’s in character as Wolverine. Sure, we’ve seen sexier photos but there is something about the man in his Brokeback Mountain jacket that speaks to me. I’m sure there is nothing at all to worry about concerning these reshoots. Hugh, himself, promises us that “WOLVERINE will be badass and hopefully meet all of your expectations” and I absolutely believe him. May can’t get here soon enough for me. Woof!

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

Last week we learned that Boy George, the flamboyant frontman of the 80’s pop group Culture Club, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the false imprisonment of a male escort and today we get to see the first photo of Boy locked away in his new prison cell, scribbling on a notepad (memoirs, perhaps?) … his new home for the next year or so:

SHAMED pop star Boy George sits in his cell writing notes — in the first picture of him taken inside. The roly poly singer scribbles on a pad during the first hours of his 15-month sentence. George, 47, is said to be terrified of attack in jail and has already angered fellow inmates by lining up a soft job in the canteen. He is set to earn £6 a week as a server, dishing out meals to lags on A Wing of HMP Pentonville in North London, where he is doing time for imprisoning and beating a rent boy. One inmate told a pal on the outside: “It won’t go down well if he’s seen to get special privileges. People have to wait weeks before they’re given cushy jobs.” Gay George revealed his fear of being targeted over his sexuality while in a holding cell at court on Friday. Richard Lyttle, 40, who was up on a driving charge, said: “He was shaking like a leaf, a total wreck. “He kept sobbing, ‘I can’t go to jail, I’ll be killed’.” Richard said he was warned: “Don’t talk to him, he’s a batty boy (homosexual).” The singer with hit Eighties band Culture Club had microwaved fish, chips and mushy peas in a plastic container for his first prison meal. The inmate said: “It was bland. The dish was tastier than the fish. It must have been a shock. Conditions here are rubbish and so is the food, nothing like he’s used to. Prison is a great leveller. George has been very quiet. He’s not been crying but seems to be in another world and sleeps a lot. They’ve put him in a cell with a Rasta guy to protect him and there is always a guard close by.” But the inmate, who snapped George on a mobile phone, added: “A celeb is a celeb in here. People love fame. Everyone remembers Culture Club.” George, real name George O’Dowd, was jailed for shackling Norwegian Audun Carlsen, 29, to a hook at his flat in Shoreditch, East London, and hitting him with a chain.

So sad … Boy George has fallen to the depths (actually, he’s been pretty low for the past few years) and seeing him a broken man sitting in prison … I just hope he learns his lesson. 15 months is a long time for him to pay for his crimes and to, hopefully, realize that his life is in shambles. He is a sad sight … but as a convict, he is getting exactly what he deserves.

[Source]

Woot! Yesterday was a fine day here in the US and nowhere was that more apparent then right here in sunny and warm SoCal. Steph, Alek and I talked about throwing an Inauguration Pool Party at their place and managed to get a few friends together so that we could toast and celebrate our new president together. Because we held the get-together in the afternoon (while many folks were still at work), our number was small (and sadly devoid of many of the All-Stars from Le Gang^TM) but very, very happy. We even had a Barack Obama stand-up to party and pose for pictures with:

I knew that we’d have no problem drankin’ and partyin’ but I didn’t count on the great conversation that we all engaged in. We talked about the election, Hillary Clinton (and how much we love her), Michelle, Malia & Sasha Obama (and how much we really, really love them!) the promise of a hopeful future and the tough work ahead. It was just a really great party and I’m so glad that we managed to pull it all together.

After the sun went down, the party winded down. Steph, Alek and I ran out for a quick bite to eat before calling it a day … and what a day it was ;) I’m sending love and safe travel wishes to Steph who flies back to France to celebrate his goddaughter Eva’s first birthday. He’ll be gone for the week but I know he’s gonna have a blast. I loaded him up with a Polaroid camera and some film to bring back pics of Missy Eva :)

No plans for tonight … I have an appointment to make and then I’ll prolly start packing some of my stuff. Even tho I’m having movers do the bulk of the work, there are a few things that I want to pack myself before the big move on Feb 1. Lots to do … and time is running out :)