Is this a good idea - upgrade python?

[Labitt, Bruce]

I'm thinking off blowing away my python2.4 from my distro and compiling
Python 2.5.2 which is the latest stable version.  That way I can make
sure what I have - and what options.  Even my setuptools is old and I
cannot use easy_install on some stuff.  It is quite frustrating.  I'm
having little success in getting some 3D python stuff to work.  Actually
it almost works - but that isn't good enough.  I do get the image, it
can rotate, pan and resize, I just can't save the image.  The code works
on my crummy windoze laptop, but not on my 'more capable' linux box.
Arggh.

Is there a reason (or reasons) that this would be unadvisable?  I have
Scientific Linux 5.2, which is a clone of RHEL 5.2.  

Or to open an old can of worms, am I much better off to go to a more
bleeding edge distro?  I think I'm about ready for it.  Something about
having access to the much more modern versions of nearly everything is
becoming more appealing everyday. 

-Bruce