There were other comments like this in the thread where he mentioned getting an STi.

I'm just picturing all the news stories I've read or heard about "new" drivers getting a WRX or STi and then totalling it by overdriving it (read: showing off), killing themselves or others.

As for this thread, there's no problem with learning to drive stick on an STi, or WRX. You just need to take it easy. In the case of the "let the clutch out slowly until the car is rolling", that's actually how I got the car home from the dealership, and drove it to work every morning, until I got the hang of the gas+clutch combo for stoplights. I just left lots of room between me and the car in front of me so I could have it rolling by the time they moved.