gistfile1.py

#!/usr/bin/python

import argparse, sys, re, time
from boto.vpc import connect_to_region
import boto.exception
import boto
import boto.ec2

#----------------------------------------------------------
def create_connection_to_aws(region):
#----------------------------------------------------------
    """this subroutine creates a connection to the appropriate region and 
       returns a handle to the connection"""

    print "attempting to connect to AWS...",
    try:
        connection = boto.connect_vpc(region=boto.ec2.get_region(region), profile_name='sandbox')
    except Exception, e:
        print "connection failed."
        print e
        sys.exit(1)
    print "connected."
    return connection