John Thain, Merrill's chief executive officer, appears to be doing everything he can to wipe the slate clean for the company.

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Yet irrespective of how the specific write-down numbers are interpreted, H-P has seized on the Autonomy debacle as an opportunity to wipe the slate clean.

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Even those that do not take home the throne can rest easy knowing there is no better place than an outhouse to wipe the slate clean for next year.

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Unlike an Etch-a-Sketch you cannot wipe the slate clean here.

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"It's an opportunity for us to wipe the slate clean, to begin anew, with the a recognition that we have many, many challenges ahead, " said Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle.

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The Rolling Jubilee project is seeking donations to help it buy-up distressed debts, including student loans and outstanding medical bills, and then wipe the slate clean by writing them off.

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You then say, if you complete this training and you reach the targets and stay out of trouble for two years then, unless the crime was very serious, we just wipe the slate clean and you start your adult life with no convictions.

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Mr Putin cannot be expected to wipe the political slate clean at once.

ECONOMIST: What next, President Putin? | The

So if, as so often happens, a creditor agrees to wipe your slate clean if you come up with most but not all of the money owed, you have to let the government know how much your debt was reduced by, and pay tax on it.

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