Java, lol

I was told by a game developer at this seminar that if I want to learn how to program games, a good way to start is with Java and making cellphone games. I plan on learning C++ before Java anyway but around how long would it take a newbie to learn Java or when would it be a good idea to learn Java if not at all?

They just recently started teaching Python in the Program and Data Representation class at my college.  I have experience programming games and graphics engines in C++ from some upper level CS courses.  All this Python talk has finally convinced me to use my remaining free time this summer to learn it.  Expect a thread in a month or so about how much Python fucking sucks for games, etc.