The issue here is not only concerning users disabling JavaScript in their browsers. How many do so? 8%?
What about cell phone users? How about sight impaired users? How much percent are they?
My collegue Jakob Nielsen say's about this:
"
JavaScript in Links
Links are the Web's basic building blocks, and users' ability to understand them and to use various browser features correctly is key to enhancing their online skills.
Links that don't behave as expected undermine users' understanding of their own system. A link should be a simple hypertext reference that replaces the current page with new content. Users hate unwarranted pop-up windows. When they want the destination to appear in a new page, they can use their browser's "open in new window" command -- assuming, of course, that the link is not a piece of code that interferes with the browser’s standard behavior.
Users deserve to control their own destiny. Computers that behave consistently empower people by letting them use their own tools and wield them accurately."
Source:
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20021223.html
By the way, can someone tell what is coming up with XHTML 2.0? I did not look in this issue yet...