in reply to to perl or not to perl

Tough spot. Sounds like you're being micro-managed by an insecure superior. The tough guy in me would ask the manager "Who's the programmer here, you or me?" but the older I get, the less often I listen to that voice.

Maybe I'm cynical, but I doubt this situation will improve for you. You'd probably be better off looking elsewhere before things get worse and you find yourself saying and doing things you'll regret.