3475488.py

class A(object):
    active = True
    def about_me(self):
        return A.active 
    
    def am_i_active(self):
        if self.__class__.active:
            print 'Yes, sir!'
        else:
            print 'Nope.'

class B(A):
    def about_me(self):
        return B.active
        
if __name__ == '__main__':
    a = A()
    b = B()
    
    print a.about_me()
    print b.about_me()  
    
    print '----'
    
    A.active = True
    B.active = False
    print a.about_me()
    print b.about_me()  
    
    print '----'
    
    a.am_i_active()
    b.am_i_active()

# True
# True
# ----
# True
# False
# ----
# Yes, sir!
# Nope.