package python-pkg-resources 0.6.15-1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: package python-pkg-resources is not ready for configuration cannot configure (current status `half-installed')

Upgrade Ubuntu 11.04 to 11.10 x86_64
Linux frank-desktop 2.6.38-11-generic #50-Ubuntu SMP Mon Sep 12 21:17:25 UTC 2011 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

It reports python errors, says upgrade fails, but:
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 11.10
Release: 11.10
Codename: oneiric

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.10
Package: python-pkg-resources 0.6.15-1ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-11.50-generic 2.6.38.8
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-11-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
ApportVersion: 1.23-0ubuntu3
Architecture: amd64
Date: Mon Oct 17 08:32:09 2011
ErrorMessage: ErrorMessage: package python-pkg-resources is not ready for configuration cannot configure (current status `half-installed')
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: distribute
Title: package python-pkg-resources 0.6.15-1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: package python-pkg-resources is not ready for configuration cannot configure (current status `half-installed')
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to oneiric on 2011-10-17 (0 days ago)