Hi!
Dunno about Chad, but I would have implemented it in Perl, of course. With perhaps bison and Inline::* where needed.
Do I have still time to suggest ObjectPerlthonasskelisp++#.net?
Anyway, languages/environments used by bigger web shops:
PHP (Yahoo, Wikipedia!!!) Python (parts of Google?) Java (um, around) ColdFusion (MySpace :-)
Amazon has SOA with stuff around implemented in nearly all languages... Quite nice approach is Mono with different languages inside (like.. Python engine by Microsoft ;-) As for personal preferences, I'd run away from Perl (did drop it 5 years ago), and use Python (with psyco \o/ )
BR, Domas