[Pythonmac-SIG] 'import site' failed. Trouble starting python. What does this mean?

[Louis Pecora]

I've been having trouble running Python from BBEdit and the MacPython 
IDE (neither works) so I tried to start from the terminal.  I get this 
message:

louispec% python -v
# installing zipimport hook
import zipimport # builtin
# installed zipimport hook
'import site' failed; traceback:
ImportError: No module named site
Python 2.3 (#1, Sep 13 2003, 00:49:11)
[GCC 3.3 20030304 (Apple Computer, Inc. build 1495)] on darwin
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
 >>>


If I type "help", I get:

 >>> help
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in ?
NameError: name 'help' is not defined


What's going on?  Anyone know?  Right now I'm Pythonless. 

Any info appreciated.

Running on a G4 Al PB (1.25 GHz), OS X 10.3.8.  Panther Add ons 
installed.  WxPython installed.  Matplotlib installed.  Using Apple's 
Python AFAIK.

-- 
Cheers,

Lou Pecora

Code 6362
Naval Research Lab
Washington, DC  20375
USA
Ph:  +202-767-6002
email:  pecora at anvil.nrl.navy.mil