Why is Python popular, while Lisp and Scheme aren't?

[holger krekel]

Alexander Schmolck wrote:
> Alexander Schmolck <a.schmolck at gmx.net> writes:
> > would be often quite useful and being able to write
> > 
> >   for i, elt in seq.items():...
> [damn, accidently deleted a line]
> 
> ... would also have removed much of the need for the new enumerate (2.3) builtin.

i somewhat agree.  At the time, GvR said "Don't go there" when
the suggestions came of "unifying" items for dicts and lists. 
As the new enumerate works for iterators as well i can partially
see the point, now.  Still i'd think that beeing able to say

    for i, elt in whatever.items():
        ...

and have it work with mappings and lists would be nice.  
As it stands mappings and sequence are simply not considered
(by python-dev people) similar enough to make this view a priority. 

    holger