I get this when I emerge: .. python: can't open file '/var/tmp/portage-pkg/portage-1.8.9_pre38/inf/files/db-update.py' !!! pkg_postinst() script failed; exiting.
Aha! This only happens when I use the '--buildpkg' option.
don't use the --buildpkg option :) Will fix in next release.
fixed in 1.8.9 (on cvs soon)