> Javascript IS a powerful language with features that were not in other mainstream language for decades and some still don't have: first class functions, dynamic typing, lambda functions, closures etc. You only have to look at the diverse uses of Javascript to appreciate how far that power goes.

This is ridiculous and it just shows how you don't have any experience with ML languages.

> As for the warts of JS any experienced Javascript programmer has learned to work around those and it takes a small effort to learn how to do so.

Again, ridiculous excuses.

> You really need proof that the majority of the web is written in PHP?

Yes.

> As for an entry point for unskilled labour, my first PHP code was written after I'd been a C++ programmer for 20 years. I found it similar to Javascript; some warts to be aware of but otherwise a powerful language it's possible to be very productive in in a short amount of time. I refer you to the look at the many Facebook tech blog posts on the topic.

It's not powerful, you just don't have experience with effective languages.

> Have you read up on CLOS? It goes way beyond the features of, say, C++ object model. By limiting yourself to a subset you can have the basic OOP features; inheritance, polymorphism and encapsulation. It provides more and arguably non-oop features such as multiple dispatch, methods that can run before, after and around your own methods (aspect oriented in modern parlance).

That was added after and still looks bad overall.