Unprotected, we appealed to Power for decent consideration as Human Beings; and Power in America, the Democratic Party, was always happy to take our money and our votes, and ask us to wait in the Outer Office. As it does today.

The position of the Jews changed in 1948 with the foundation of the Jewish State. But the habits of 2,000 years, now of Liberal Jews (in the diaspora and in Israel) have not changed. These appeal, in the name of humanity, to powers which may believe in humanity, but, unfortunately, do not consider Jews human.

And so, the carnival barker titillates us with the thrills available for a pittance: one dime, one tenth part of the dollar. But the sick thrill of antisemitism also has a price: the surrender of reason, and, with it, of conscience.

[This is not easy reading; it is bitter and deservedly so. Mamet, one of the greatest modern playwrights and screenwriters, pulls no punches here. The best point Mamet makes here is the necessity of a Jewish state for the survival of Jews anywhere — and the ugly emergence of neo-Nazi Hamas worshipers on American campuses underscores that argument. — Ed]