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In our new Please Explain feature, we set aside some time every Friday afternoon to get to the bottom of one complex issue. Ever wonder how New York City 's water system works? Or how the US became so polarized politically? We'll back up and review the basic facts and principles of complicated issues across a broad range of topics: history, politics, science, you name it.

Let us know what you'd like to hear explained! E-mail us your questions, and we'll track down experts to unravel one issue in-depth each week.