Even though I have a canon XT, I have to honestly say that most entry level dSLR will serve your needs. There really aren't that many "bad cameras" out there. If you had plans of becoming a serious hobbyist or semi-pro, that would be a different story. In that case, there might be specific cameras that would meet your needs better.
The two things I would suggest is going into an actual camera shop and hold a few cameras in your hands. They feel much bigger than PnS cameras so getting one that feels right to you is important. The other thing is to think about is how important is image stabilization to you? That is probably the biggest difference between entry level dSLR's. Some have IS built into the camera and others have it built into the lenses. Most lenses that come with the camera will not have IS, so if you want/need it, you have to get a different lens if you don't have IS built into the body.
And last but not least, be prepared to either start spending some money or join a support group. Only a few people have the will power to resist the urge to start buying accessories. A lot of people start with a new bag, more memory cards and extra batteries. Then you move up to a new low light prime lens, and a longer zoom lens. Then you need an add on flash and a bigger bag to hold all your stuff. Then you get so many photos on your hard drive that you need some better software to manage/edit your pictures. Then you want to try some new things and you decide you need a tripod and remote shutter release. Then you learn about RAW and need some more memory cards for the larger file size. Then you want a better/faster walk-around lens and maybe some polarizer filters. But wide angle looks fun so you need either an ultra wide angle or fish eye lens. Then you need not a second, but a third hard drive for storing your photos, and a new DVD burner because you wore out your old one. You have also some how accumulated a battery grip, monopod, sensor cleaner and portrait prime. You then make a deal with your wife that she can get the new living room furniture if you can have the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L. You keep thinking about some big strobes (those alien bee's are very tempting) but you manage to control yourself and not actually buy it, just put it on your wish list. Then you sell your soul to your photography hobby and finally get a photographer's vest. After that, who are you really fooling? You're addicted.
***Any resemblance to any person either living or dead in the above autobiographical narrative is purely coincidental.
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