Usually, the lense you mentioned above is not all that high quality. I just think the sharpness is so sacrificed for the wide zoom range.

While I'm not going to recommend a pro lens at this point to you (as much as I think pro lenses are important to what I do, I don't think you need to rush out and spend almost twice as much on a lens as your body).  The usual kit lens that comes with this body is an 18-55.  Again, not a pro lens but a good all around lens for beginners.  Then if you want a little more zoom, I'd pick up a 70-200. They make consumer and pro lenses in that size and again, don't go into sticker shock looking at the L version (about $2k retail).

If you were wanting to upgrad to pro lenses, I would skip the Rebel and get a used 5D (not the MKII).  It's a great camera (still) and you can usually get one used around $900. The best lens hands down for that camera for multi-uses is the 24-70 2.8.

I agree with doolittle!  I wouldn't spend money on a lens that does both wide angle and zoom.  I would get a 35mm f/2 and a zoom lens.  35mm f/2 on a crop body is like 50mm, great for portrait.  I actually use 50mm on my T2i too and I like the range as well, but I think 35mm is better for a crop body.

Then depending on if you'll use more of the telephoto or wide angle, get a 10-22 or a telephoto one.  I personally like wide angle.  I don't really shoot things that require telephoto.  I mostly shoot people, landscape and architecture.

Hope that helps!

Thanks, ladies!  Very helpful!