red tie

[necromancer]

Why does the president of the U.S.A. wear a red tie when announcing that the country is at war?

[Grunty]

Possibly similar to the clothing worn by UK service personnel who had been wounded during the world wars, and therefore unable to wear uniform.  They wore white shirts, blue suits and red ties, being the colours of the Union Jack (not union flag!). 

[LordyGeordie]

if we're talking about the current president it's probably because that's the one his mum picked for him and because it's the only elasticated one he's got

[HAnn521]

The red tie is simply patriotic(red, white, blue being our nations colors)...I'm sure it had no serious signifigance behind it, except that he needed something proffesional and appropriate to wear while addressing the nation....and who cares what he's wearing, it's the words coming out of his mouth we should be paying attention to!

[hinge1967]

I believe Bush was going to wear a blue on but demanded it was changed because it was too tight.

[hinge1967]

* (silly me) - a blue one not: a blue on

[Trillipse]

grunty - surely the jack is the POLE is it not?

[mongos bird]

Lordy Geordie,  I haven't laughed so much for ages!!  You've bought a tear to my eye and my neighbours must be wondering what the crazy lady next door is laughing at!!   Must go change my Tena Lady . . . .

[Grunty]

Trillipse - Jacks are flags that are worn on the jackstaff of a ship.  The Union Jack is also the name that our national flag has had for several centuries.  Because the name contains the word 'Jack' does not necessarily mean that it is a jack.  The name Union Jack is well established by common usage and has been referred to by that name in Parliament.

If Americans can call their flag Old Glory, whether or not it is being flown in circumstances of glory, I see no reason why we should not call the Union Jack by its name, even though it is not a jack.

My Uncle Jack was never worn on a jackstaff either.

[Grunty]

Forgot to say that LordyGeordie and hinge1967 are probably both correct.

[Trillipse]

ah. parliament. always right.

my uncle jack has never had a very upright or well-named pole.