I don’t conceptually disagree at all, John, but, in my experience, new to average users aren’t even aware most keyboard commannds exist. In my observations, they tend to learn one way of accomplishing a task, then stick with it for life unless deterred or educated (see also: the 3 years my sainted mother thought you had to enter URLs in the Yahoo! search box).

I think, as you say, that the true ninja learns when to use each appropriately, but as long as people are using their mouse as the only way they know how to bold text, go back one page, or switch applications, I’m staying “pedal to the metal” on keyboard evangelism. :)