[groovy2shoes]

The ability to commit segment violations is a consequence of the broader abilities you get with pointers as a language feature. In many cases, neither of those things are desirable, but there are cases (e.g., systems programming) where they are very desirable.

[bunderbunder]

Sure, but LISP was never intended as a systems or embedded programming language. Criticizing LISP for not being good at doing low-level tasks is akin to criticizing Harley-Davidson's motorcycles because they don't float.

[cobrausn]

Or akin to criticizing C for not being an expressive, high-level language.

Also, in response to your first point: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisp_machine

[nickik]

If C would have lisp syntax it could do the alot of the same abstractions.

[bunderbunder]

A low-level imperative language with s-expression syntax would be one heck of an esoteric language.