problem python

[Tom King]

hi im new in python and i have a problem about 

when i type python in my command line console i get an error message 

'import site' failed; use -v for traceback
Python 2.4.3 (#1, May  5 2011, 18:44:23) 
[GCC 4.1.2 20080704 (Red Hat 4.1.2-50)] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> 


what is going on and how i can fix it
thanks in andvance
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