"Optional Privacy Waiver"???

This now appears on the US Embassy in Israel site:

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Registering your trip to israel

Why should I register with the Embassy?If you are traveling to the Israel, or if you live here, the U.S. Embassy recommends that you register with us. This is for your protection, so that in case of emergency, we can assist Americans in Israel easier. The Embassy also sends out emails informing Americans who are registered about special issues, such as emergency information, Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, voting information, and Consular Information Sheets. information and much more.

What is it?

To ensure registering is as easy as possible, the U.S. government has established an online registration form. IBRS, the Internet Based Registration Service, is a central Internet site offering an on- line Office on Management and Budget or (OMB)-approved form that includes an optional Privacy Act waiver. The site will allow both short- and long-term travelers abroad to provide their itinerary, residence, and emergency contact information.

How do I register?

Simply go to the following website and complete the form: https://travelregistration.state.gov and click "Register My Trip".

Why this redundant registration? We all have passports. They can find those of us who don't in two seconds flat.

Is encouraging us to waive our privacy what this is really all about?

I really hate to be pedantic, but isn't Israel, like the names of all countries, always spelled with a capital letter at the beginning of the name?

Finally, why, oh WHY, did AmeriKKKa go so radically off kilter that I assume ill will in everything they do and wonder what the ulterior motive is in every new policy?

I didn't used to feel that way. I never liked the hyper-Capitalism, but I never thought they were trying to divest us of every possible freedom surreptitiously - not until this "administration".

D2