Hmm, I agree basic is a nice little starting point, easier to start off and all, but really once you have gotten your head around the basics of C, or java its just as easy, no forget that its easier.
I would say Java would be just as easy to learn as basic if you started out with no knowledge at all. With C the main thing you have to get you're head around is memory allocation and pointers, but you can do ####ty little programs like the ones you do in basic without even knowing them.
