RE: Dropping angle-bracket syntax for animation (see also "agenda+ SVG 2 Features and Approach"

Brian B.'s write-up is a solid start for the work on harmonization[1] - nice work.

For improvements to FX animation the D3 Transitions API is worth a read[2].  Quite a few good ideas from visualization science that would make FX animations more robust such as:
-- Transition operations including Subtransitions
-- Built-in easing
-- Built-in interpolators, etc.

[1]http://www.w3.org/Graphics/SVG/WG/wiki/F2F/Seattle_2011/Agenda/Animations/Harmonisation#SVG_Animation_x_CSS_Animation
[2]https://github.com/mbostock/d3/wiki/Transitions