Senator Dick Durbin's Move to Dhimmitude

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) has made quite the transformation from being very concerned about the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) in 2003 to being a staunch defender of the group in 2011. In the movie Cool Hand Luke, it's called 'making your mind right.' Durbin is not only apologizing for CAIR in Chicago by saying the group advances multiculturalism and understanding but he's apparently decided to associate with some very nefarious individuals just last month, among them was Jamal Said, an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation trial.

He's now going to hold a hearing on the matter of alleged anti-Muslim bigotry.

Via the IPT:

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., in an attempt to address what he claims is an increase in anti-Muslim bigotry, is relying on questionable statistics and a witness with a record of opposing virtually all law enforcement attempts to deal with Islamist-inspired terrorism.

In a statement, Durbin said his hearing Tuesday on the state of Muslim civil rights in America comes "in response to a spike in anti-Muslim bigotry in the last year including Quran burnings, restrictions on mosque construction, hate crimes, hate speech, and other forms of discrimination."

Contrast that with what Durbin said at a hearing in 2003 regarding CAIR:

"…apparently from what I have read (CAIR) is unusual in its extreme rhetoric and its association with groups that are suspect, there are many mainstream groups of Muslim Americans who fully support this war against terrorism and I would hope that they would be invited to speak to their heartfelt beliefs about this effort so that our characterization is fair across the board."

IPT goes on to quote from a letter Durbin wrote to CAIR's Chicago chapter just last week. In that letter, Durbin extolled the virtues of CAIR, saying the group:

"advances a greater understanding of the Muslim culture and serves as an essential thread in the multicultural fabric of our nation. Your efforts to advocate for tolerance promote the civil liberties of all communities."

So what's changed for Mr. Durbin?