Hi, It seems that the python-2.2.3-gentoo_py_dontcompile.patch behavior is wrong: python wont produce any .pyc file if PYTHON_DONTCOMPILE is not set, and will produce .pyc files when it is set. Below is a fixed patch that correct this behavior (and also makes verbose mode more explicit in dontcompile mode).
Created attachment 19613 [details, diff] python-2.2.3-gentoo_py_dontcompile-fixed.patch
oops. thanks for the fix and the verbose stuff. It seems I made the mistake when I rushly backported the patch from 2.3 to 2.2.3. i'm committing 2.2.3-r4 with your patch in. thanks.