agencies library

 

Agencies are various organizations or entities within the government. Learn more about agencies like the FBI, foster care, the Postal Service or Customs.

Featured Article:  How Presidential Memoirs Work

With President Clinton's memoirs scheduled for release on June 22, there's a whole lot of talk going around about the nature of a presidential memoir. What is its purpose? See more »

Air Force One Quiz

Air Force One Quiz

Nicknamed the "flying White House" by the media, Air Force One has the special duty of carrying the U.S. president on trips overseas and across the country. How high does your knowledge soar regarding this high-tech, deluxe jumbo jet?

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Do I have a terrorist score on file with Homeland Security?

Do I have a terrorist score on file with Homeland Security?

In a document released in early November, the Department of Homeland Security revealed aspects of a targeting program that most citizens and many lawmakers didn't know about.

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FBI Quiz

FBI Quiz

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the most powerful government agency in the United States, inspires both awe and fear. Test your own sleuthing power with the FBI quiz.

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How Air Force One Works

How Air Force One Works

When the president goes anywhere by plane, he travels in the most amazing private jet in the world -- a flying White House complete with a gym! Take a tour of this amazing aircraft and see pictures from past and present.

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How does the FBI decide who makes the Most Wanted list?

How does the FBI decide who makes the Most Wanted list?

The FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list has been an unqualified success since its inception in the 1950s. Learn how they choose its members.

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How does the FCC police obscenity?

How does the FCC police obscenity?

The FCC is the government group that reacted to Janet Jackson's Super Bowl exposure and to indecency violations by Bubba the Love Sponge. Learn about the FCC's obscenity criteria.

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How Presidential Memoirs Work

How Presidential Memoirs Work

With President Clinton's memoirs scheduled for release on June 22, there's a whole lot of talk going around about the nature of a presidential memoir. What is its purpose?

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How Spies Work

How Spies Work

Spies have shaped foreign policy, altered the course of wars and left a deep (though usually hidden) impression on world history. It's a tense and often deadly job.

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How Supreme Court Appointments Work

How Supreme Court Appointments Work

The retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has led to speculation and political maneuvering. Find out how Supreme Court justices are nominated, who is qualified to serve and how a nominee is approved.

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How the ACLU Works

How the ACLU Works

The ACLU has worked to defend fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the right to privacy for 80 years, but not without controversy. Read about fascinating facts and history-changing decisions the ACLU has been party to.

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How the CIA Works

How the CIA Works

Despite plenty of Hollywood films about the CIA and its spies, many people still don't know what the agency actually does. In this article, we'll take a look at the history of the CIA and the scandals that have rocked it through the decades.

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How the FBI Works

How the FBI Works

Find out what the FBI does, how it started, and what it takes to become an FBI agent. We'll also take a look at some of the tools and techniques used by the FBI and learn about J. Edgar Hoover.

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How the U.S. Postal Service Works

How the U.S. Postal Service Works

The U.S. Postal Services delivers 213 billion pieces of mail a year. But will e-mail someday triumph over snail mail? And how do your letters get to the right place?

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How the United Nations Works

How the United Nations Works

The world looks to the United Nations for guidance on important international matters. Find out what goes on inside the United Nations and what role it really plays in international politics.

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How U.S. Marshals Work

How U.S. Marshals Work

The U.S. Marshals Service is the oldest law enforcement agency in the nation. Learn about famous U.S. Marshals and the duties and history of U.S. Marshals.

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How Water Towers Work

How Water Towers Work

You've probably noticed that there are power outages all the time -- but water outages? Much less common... How does the system work, and work so well? It's simpler than you may think. Find out how the design and location of water towers keep the water flowing.

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Is the FBI reading my e-mail?

Is the FBI reading my e-mail?

When the FBI announced two years ago that it no was longer using its Carnivore Internet surveillance software, it seemed like a victory. Find out why the techniques employed in the new ISP-based surveillance approach may be even more evasive.

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11 Terms Used by Spies

11 Terms Used by Spies

Maybe you're involved in a covert operation. Maybe you're just curious. Spies have developed their own language of code words in order to keep from being discovered. We don't need to know, but you should learn the 11 terms used by spies here.

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How Foster Care Works

The foster care system is a relatively recent solution to the problem of parents being unable to care for their children. Separate and very different from adoption, foster care is usually meant to be a temporary situation. Find out how the system works and how people become foster parents.

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How the EPA Works

The EPA was established to protect human health and the environment. How does the agency interpret and enact environmental legislation?

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