I can back up over all kinds of prompts with C-b

[Dan Jacobson]

Gentlemen, do emacs -q, M-x occur RET Notice how you can back up over
the prompt string with C-b, whilst C-a won't back up over it.  
Prompt: "List lines matching regexp: ...."

And same with M-x shell, I can't quite, urmf, urmf, get to the left
side of the screen with C-a, but C-b cuts thru the red tape.  Let me
guess: "a feature", but if you ask me, it feels like the seat belts
are loose, or drunk driving.  OK, maybe I'm a bondage freak or
something.  However, for the *shell* buffer not letting me get to the
left side of the screen with C-a to mark a block feels a little too
bossy.
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