Python/Scripting language performance

[Curtis Jensen]

I'm looking for an explicit explination of why Scripting languages, 
specificaly Python, are slow compared to compiled languages.  I've 
searched the newsgroup and bit on the web.  I'm looking for a more 
indepth description other than because it's dynamic, or it's object 
oriented, or it's interpreted.  Specificaly why do those aspects make it 
slower?  Also how does the byte compiled python affect performance?  If 
there is a paper out there that someone could refer me to, or if they 
could just explain it, it would be appreciated.
Thanks.

-- 
Curtis Jensen
cjensen at bioeng.ucsd.edu
http://www-bioeng.ucsd.edu/~cjensen/
FAX (425) 740-1451