What happened? Does anybody know?

Unlike a lot of country and western “stars”, Haggard loved the country, but wasn’t shy about openly criticizing the government.

From an interview in the San Lius Obispo Tribune:

He’s fiercely proud of the United States and the troops overseas, yet his voice starts a slow angry burn whenever he talks about Hurricane Katrina’s disastrous aftermath, homeland security or the escalating arms race he feels is leading to World War III.

Haggard cites his frustration with the handling of the Iraq War as one of the reasons he’s dropped “nearly all the political stuff” from his ad-lib show.

“I suddenly turned my back on it because I do not believe in the politics of America, “ the country star says. “I believe they’re corrupt and I believe there’s not a dime’s worth of difference between the Republicans and the Democrats.”