As far as I can see, that is the problem. It does not prepare fine.
I got the impression from your original post that it failing on the execute. If it is indeed the prepare, then nothing to see here
>Does setting the trace on the database handle give you anything meaningful?
Good question. I don't know. Never done that. And don't know how to do that.
Take a look at the DBI perldoc for a heading called "Tracing". There's no way that I can do it justice here.
thor
Feel the white light, the light within
Be your own disciple, fan the sparks of will
For all of us waiting, your kingdom will come