gistfile1.py

parts = request.path.split('/')
try:
    active_menu = parts[1]
except IndexError:
    active_menu = ''
try:
    active_section = parts[2]
except IndexError:
    active_section = ''

# or

parts = request.path.split('/')
parts.extend(('', ''))
active_menu, active_section = parts[1:3]