First of all, obviously you are right that each task can be solved in C, C++, Perl, Python, Java et al. Each of these (as well as most other general purpose) languages are Turing-complete, so that should not come as a surprise: all have the same expressive power.

However, I think the catchy phrase about the right tool does make a lot of sense: read a node I wrote in another thread on this topic.

As usual, just my 2 cents, -gjb-

PS: Incidently, I'm active on PerlMonks for about 6 weeks, and the topic has occured about 4 times in that short period of time. Obviously it's on lots of people's mind.