Part 3/12:
The conversation takes a personal turn as Mamet discusses his political awakening. He credits his former liberal stance to conversations with his rabbi and the prevailing political civility of the past, where opposing views could be debated civilly based on facts.
Mamet recalls a pivotal moment when he publicly declared that he was no longer a "brain-dead liberal"—a move that caused rifts with friends and acquaintances. This moment marked his realization that the political landscape had become a "fascist" party where dissent was no longer tolerated. He vividly describes how the left’s intolerance and willingness to ostracize dissenters propelled him towards a more conservative viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of standing up for one’s principles amid societal and political chaos.