I mostly agree with your statement. I like python. however, Python does SO much for you, I would leave for later, after you are comfortable with a compiled language like Java/C#.
refering to someone new: Programming, in my opinion, is more than just knowing how to write a for loop or an if statement. it's the technology as a whole (DLL's, compilers, GUI's, IIS, Apache, etc)
the only gripe I have with Java over C#, is the tools. Visual Studio is SO pleasant to work in, whereas Eclipse can be painful.