Python won't import time

Question

Here's my file in full:

import time

When I run it, or any import statement, I get:

import: unable to open X server `' @ error/import.c/ImportImageCommand/366.

I'm running it from an ssh into a virtual machine running Ubuntu 12.04.03. python is v2.7. When I run the script in the terminal with the Ubuntu UI, I get a cross hair mouse cursor like it wants a screen capture. When I click, the program ends.

Why would import time access some kind of UI feature?

The scripts I'm trying to write/run are basic text processing and number crunching command line tools. no UI features needed.

Thanks!