[acwclassic]

java! worked for me, really easy to use and you will be able to do a lot in it from the start. also its the language that got the most users if i recall corectly. the main thing to learn from here is the object orientation that will gain you in all other object orientated language. python also gives this, but got less users.
cant say that c++ is that bad choice eigther as some point out, it teached the 2 main things in one. basic data structions and object orientated one(although it could be better).
i think the ultimate way to learn would be is to combine java & c since you get what c++ gives in a more complex level.