A new school year in the United States has begun with a touch of controversy. It surrounds a welcome back speech to students from President Barack Obama that was seen in classrooms around the country. In some communities, parents staged a boycott of the president's address - an example of how politically divided the nation has become. The president's message to students was simple: study hard, pay attention in class and embrace the opportunity to learn. "We can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents and the best schools in the world. And none of it will make...