You can use GUI scripting, which is somehow like a free version of Nick's beloved QuickKeys.
You can also attach scripts to the menus using UI Actions.
You also may use FCP Apple Events in certain amount when you're working with XML. For example you might be able to get the XML of a project and send all project item to an SQL database. Or get some out of there and replace it in the project.
But you're right - a real scriptable app doesn't look like FCP.
Andreas