python as a first language?

[Craig Hagerman]

Hi,
I want to get some feedback on how good Python is to learn for a beginner.
I am interested in learning programming (OOP especially). I studied (bit
didn't really learn) Fortran ages ago, studied formal logic (math) in
university and have been playing around with web technologies (Javascript
et al) and now want to try out bigger and better things. What are people's
thinking regarding Perl vs Python for a beginner, or how about Python
compared to Eiffel or Sather for this purpose? Any good suggestions for
what road I should head up first?
   Cheers,
   Craig