Why is blowfish so slow? Other fast algorithms?

[Bill Stewart]

>> At 07:32 PM 1/23/96 -0500, David A Wagner wrote:
>> >If you want authentication, you must use a crypto-strength MAC.
>> >Encryption (be it RC4, DES, etc.) is not enough.

Are there any simple but crypto-strong hash functions?
I've been thinking about doing a "One Page Privacy" program,
using the 3-line RSA, 10-line RC4, and some glue,
but using a separate MD5 program seemed like cheating
(even though the 3-line RSA uses dc :-).  
I was thinking about using RC4 in some feedback mode as a MAC,
but it sounds like that's not secure enough?  Is there anything
else that's short?  MD5 requires too much code.
#--
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