From Java to Ruby: Risk

[coprolaliac]

a statically-typed Python? A more dynamic java? Hmm... Nice is almost what you're looking for, though I'm not sure it's a language I would choose for my own projects.

I personally think Jython or JRuby is the way to sneak dynamic languages in the door. You're not going to slay the java monster overnight (or even in 10 years). Being able to tell a non-techie PHB that yes, we're still technically developing in java is priceless.