Q: Is it easy to learn the basics of HTML?
A: Very easy
Q: Is it easy to code semantic, minimalistic markup without use of deprecated elements, presentational attribute values, up to date code?
A: Somewhat, but it's easier when using a reference such as w3.org and validating your markup
Q: Is it easy to learn the basics of CSS?
A: Very easy.
Q: Is it easy to code graphically complex layouts pixel perfect while serving various rendering engines such as Presto, Gecko, Trident, Webkit?
A: It is pretty hard but pretty do-able
Q: Is it hard to code graphically complex layouts which may be fluid/elastic, may contain elements such as rounded corners, multi level dropdown navigation which may easily break because of inconsistent stacking order algorithms, multiple elements which may not be saved as a transparent gif w/ matte but instead a png?
A: Very hard but should be possible ( for the most part )with various workarounds
Q: Is it hard coding Javascript?
A: No, it's not hard if you use a reference such as the one from Mozilla, watch a Douglas Crockford video or two, use the rhino book or even the E262 ECMAScript spec
Q: Is it hard coding DOM manipulating scripts without the use of frameworks such as jQuery?
A: Yes, as the DOM API is very very inconsistent across browsers but ECMAScript support is pretty damn good all across the board
Q: Does it bother me that people think they're using XHTML across the HTTP protocol when the Content-Type served is text/html, and the document at hand contains markup errors, along with the use of table elements for layout?
A: Yes