[RWebb]

you might try having a friendly lunch with him - you buy

ask him if there is something you are doing that is upsetting him
- let him talk - maybe even pull out a notepad and scribble on it
then say you were unaware and you'll try to be - whatever - in the future
do NOT argue

but FIRST mention it to your Mgr & use them as a sounding board

as he is 'protected' he is likely to not be fired as you surmise -- so try to transfer his attacks from you to something else - or if you are lucky he will transfer to some other jerk who shows up later or is already in your org.

this could backfire & you might become his best friend, so deal w/that later