Hotshot, I had the same problem and discovered it was due to using colors in my bash prompt. I fixed it with a simple if check: 
if [ $TERM != "dumb" ];then
    export PS1=pretty_color_prompt
fi

[download]
Worked like a champ. Keep in mind the "clear" call is just a wrapper to tput. So check those dotfiles for any clear commands as well.

In reply to Re^2: TERM problems by Anonymous Monk
in thread TERM problems by hotshot

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