New Findings:
Out of box Kubuntu 9.10 with Desktop Effects enabled, brightness keys work as expected!!!
Out of box Ubuntu 9.10 Effects at normal or Extra brightness keys cause system freeze.
There must be an effects setting that is NOT used in Kubuntu that is causing the freeze in Ubuntu.
New Findings:
Out of box Kubuntu 9.10 with Desktop Effects enabled, brightness keys work as expected!!!
Out of box Ubuntu 9.10 Effects at normal or Extra brightness keys cause system freeze.
There must be an effects setting that is NOT used in Kubuntu that is causing the freeze in Ubuntu.