you don't have to say: if True == l_init
it is suggested you simply say: if l_init: Remember the and operator requires expressions on both sides to be true to continue. If you notice, your expression on the right side of the 'and' is an assignment and so this is forbidden (SyntaxError). assignments only work on lines by themselves and no where else. if you meant == rather than = remember this, l_value doesn't exist and would pull up a NameError *but* because the first expression evaluates as false the second expression is never evaluated. refactor your code ASAP. good luck! -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list